The stage is set, the matchups are locked in, and anticipation is at an all-time high as the WTT Champions Chongqing 2025 draw ceremony has revealed thrilling first-round encounters. With the world’s top table tennis stars gathered at Huaxi LIVE Yudong Arena, the battle for supremacy is about to begin.
Lin Shidong Aims for More Glory
Fresh off his triumph at Singapore Smash 2025, World No. 1 Lin Shidong is ready to continue his winning streak in front of a home crowd. His opening challenge comes in the form of Kao Cheng-Jui, an opponent ranked 23 places below him. Lin has never dropped a match to Kao in their previous WTT battles, and he is determined to keep that flawless record intact.
“I’m playing in Chongqing for the first time, and I hope to put on a great show for the fans. If I get the chance, I’d love to explore the city a bit too,” Lin shared with a confident smile.
Harimoto Seeks Redemption, Lebrun Eyes a Deep Run
On the opposite side of the draw, fourth seed Tomokazu Harimoto is eager to bounce back after an early exit in Singapore. His first-round opponent, Anders Lind, is no stranger to big-stage battles, and though the two haven’t clashed at a WTT event before, Harimoto holds a past Olympic victory over him. Can the Danish challenger turn the tables this time?
Meanwhile, France’s rising star Alexis Lebrun, who cracked the world’s Top 10 after a stellar Singapore Smash performance, is set for a showdown against Japan’s Shunsuke Togami. Having exited in the round of 16 last year in Chongqing, Lebrun is hungry for a stronger finish.
Awaiting the winner of their matchup? A colossal battle against either Wang Chuqin or Quadri Aruna, two powerhouse players who are facing each other for the first time.
Sun Yingsha vs. Polcanova – A Battle with History
In the Women’s Singles draw, World No. 1 Sun Yingsha prepares for a high-profile rematch against Sofia Polcanova. The Austrian star has never managed to overcome Sun in previous encounters, and the draw didn’t exactly play in her favor this time either.
“This is my first time at a draw ceremony, and let’s just say I wasn’t thrilled with the outcome,” Polcanova admitted with a laugh. “But I’ll give it my all and make it a match to remember.”
Sun, however, knows she’s in for a challenge, as every competitor in Chongqing is among the world's elite.
“Each match here is a battle against the best. I hope to deliver a performance that the fans will never forget,” said the Chinese superstar.
Rising Stars and Early Fireworks
One of the most anticipated debuts of the tournament belongs to Kuai Man, who stunned the table tennis world by reaching the final in Singapore. The 21-year-old is set to make her WTT Champions debut against Jee Minhyung in what promises to be a captivating first encounter between the two.
Elsewhere, former WTT Champions titleholder Wang Yidi faces an immediate trial by fire, going up against World No. 9 Mima Ito in a blockbuster opening round match.
With 32 of the world’s finest competitors battling for the prestigious title and a share of the $800,000 prize pool, WTT Champions Chongqing 2025 guarantees high-intensity drama from March 11-16. Let the action begin!
Overview of the international head-to-head records for the Round of 32 matchups at WTT Champions Chongqing 2025:
Men's Singles:
Lin Shidong vs. Kao Cheng-Jui (3:0)
An Jaehyun vs. Darko Jorgic (1:0)
Lin Yun-Ju vs. Jang Woojin (2:2)
Alvaro Robles vs. Patrick Franziska (0:4)
Liang Jingkun vs. Finn Luu (0:0)
Lin Gaoyuan vs. Cho Daeseong (1:0)
Yukiya Uda vs. Benedikt Duda (0:3)
Kanak Jha vs. Felix Lebrun (0:0)
Hugo Calderano vs. Lee Sang Su (0:0)
Dimitrij Ovtcharov vs. Hiroto Shinozuka (0:1)
Anton Källberg vs. Chen Yuanyu (0:0)
Anders Lind vs. Tomokazu Harimoto (0:1)
Truls Moregard vs. Jonathan Groth (2:1)
Dang Qiu vs. Omar Assar (1:0)
Shunsuke Togami vs. Alexis Lebrun (1:1)
Quadri Aruna vs. Wang Chuqin (0:0)
Women's Singles:
Sun Yingsha vs. Sofia Polcanova (3:0)
Doo Hoi Kem vs. Manika Batra (2:3)
Dina Meshref vs. Kim Nayeong (1:0)
Sreeja Akula vs. Satsuki Odo (0:0)
Wang Yidi vs. Mima Ito (9:2)
Yangzi Liu vs. Suh Hyo Won (0:0)
Prithika Pavade vs. Bruna Takahashi (1:1)
Huang Yi-Hua vs. Hina Hayata (0:0)
Kuai Man vs. Minhyung Jee (0:0)
Elizabeta Samara vs. Maria Xiao (1:1)
Hana Goda vs. Shin Yubin (0:1)
Cheng I-Ching vs. Chen Xingtong (0:3)
Miwa Harimoto vs. Joo Cheonhui (4:1)
Bernadette Szocs vs. Jia Nan Yuan (5:2)
Chien Tung-Chuan vs. Britt Eerland (1:0)
Adriana Diaz vs. Wang Manyu (0:5)
Source of header image: WTT test