The second day of WTT Champions Incheon 2025 brought another round of high-intensity table tennis, with the Round of 32 continuing. After an exciting opening day that included surprising upsets—such as Felix Lebrun’s early exit (read more about Day 1: Session 1 | Session 2)—Day 2 featured more top-level clashes.
A special focus was on the Germany vs. Japan matchups, with Patrick Franziska facing Shunsuke Togami and Dang Qiu taking on Sora Matsushima. Additionally, several rising stars and seasoned contenders fought for a spot in the next round.
Nina Mittelham (#41) vs. Chen Xingtong (#4) – 1:3 (11:4, 4:11, 10:12, 8:11)
The two had only met once before, in 2022, when Chen Xingtong won convincingly (3:0). Despite Mittelham taking the first game in dominant fashion, the second seed quickly adjusted and controlled the rest of the match to secure a 3:1 victory.
Chen Yuanyu (#29) vs. Darko Jorgic (#13) – 0:3 (9:11, 8:11, 3:11)
Chen Yuanyu, the 19-year-old Chinese talent, has already made waves this year by winning WTT Contender Muscat, where he defeated Tomokazu Harimoto in the final. However, his debut clash against Jorgic ended in a straight-game defeat, as the Slovenian advanced with a clinical 3:0 performance.
Hina Hayata (#6) vs. Adriana Diaz (#15) – 3:1 (11:5, 12:14, 11:7, 11:9)
As expected, Hayata entered as the favorite, having already beaten Diaz in their previous encounters (2019 & 2023). The match followed a similar pattern, with Hayata securing a solid 3:1 win. After her early exit in Chennai last week (Round of 16 loss to Honoka Hashimoto), this victory helps put her back on track.
Hiroto Shinozuka (#26) vs. Anders Lind (#32) – 0:3 (8:11, 6:11, 9:11)
Both players will compete in the Bundesliga (TTBL) next season, possibly meeting again there. But today, it was Anders Lind who dominated, using his creative style to outplay Shinozuka in straight games.
Kim Nayeong (#31) vs. Doo Hoi Kem (#36) – 3:2 (3:11, 11:9, 11:2, 12:14, 11:5)
Just five days ago, Kim and Doo faced off at WTT Contender Chennai, where Kim won in five games. Incredibly, today’s match followed the exact same script: Doo took the first game, Kim responded by winning the next two, Doo forced a decider, and Kim ultimately triumphed again.
Patrick Franziska (#8) vs. Shunsuke Togami (#24) – 3:2 (11:5, 11:4, 7:11, 10:12, 11:5)
Internationally, Franziska and Togami had only met once before, with Togami winning 3:0 in 2023. Though both play in the Bundesliga (TTBL), they hadn’t faced off this season. Franziska started aggressively, dominating the first two games, but Togami fought back to force a decider. In the final game, the German regained control and advanced to the Round of 16.
Lee Eunhye (#40) vs. Elizabeta Samara (#35) – 2:3 (11:7, 5:11, 6:11, 11:6, 7:11)
A tight battle between two evenly ranked players ended with Samara taking the win in five games.
Sora Matsushima (#33) vs. Dang Qiu (#11) – 3:0 (11:6, 11:8, 11:9)
Matsushima already had a 1-0 head-to-head lead over the German, having beaten him 3:2 at a Star Contender in 2024. This time, the young Japanese star delivered an even more dominant performance, securing a 3:0 victory and ensuring that today’s Germany vs. Japan battle ended in a 1-1 draw.
Match Summary – Round of 32, Day 2 Session 1
Nina Mittelham vs. Chen Xingtong – 1:3 (11:4, 4:11, 10:12, 8:11)
Chen Yuanyu vs. Darko Jorgic – 0:3 (9:11, 8:11, 3:11)
Hina Hayata vs. Adriana Diaz – 3:1 (11:5, 12:14, 11:7, 11:9)
Hiroto Shinozuka vs. Anders Lind – 0:3 (8:11, 6:11, 9:11)
Kim Nayeong vs. Doo Hoi Kem – 3:2 (3:11, 11:9, 11:2, 12:14, 11:5)
Patrick Franziska vs. Shunsuke Togami – 3:2 (11:5, 11:4, 7:11, 10:12, 11:5)
Lee Eunhye vs. Elizabeta Samara – 2:3 (11:7, 5:11, 6:11, 11:6, 7:11)
Sora Matsushima vs. Dang Qiu – 3:0 (11:6, 11:8, 11:9)