MUSCAT, JAN 16
Men's No 1 seed Tomokazu Harimoto, who recently won the WTT Star Contender title in Doha, beat Chinese paddler Huang Youzheng 3-1 (13-11, 8-11, 11-8, 13-11) to set up a clash against Hong Kong's Wong Chun Ting in the semifinal of WTT Contender Muscat.
Harimoto progressed to the quarters following his resounding triumph over USA's Jinabo MA 3-1 (13-11, 11-5, 9-11, 14-12). World No 59 Wong Chun Ting of Hong Kong reached the semifinal after he stunned French paddler Thibault Poret 3-1 (11-7, 11-5, 5-11, 11-7).
Chinese Taipei’s Kuo Guan-Hong overcame France's Lilian Bardet 3-0 in a tight clash to set up a semifinal against China's Chen Yuanyu following his victory over India’s Manuash Shah 3-0 (5-11, 8-11, 8-11). Also, Chen Yuanyu managed to outclass No 2 seed Dimitrij Ovtcharov from Germany on Wednesday evening by 3-1 (11-7, 13-11, 5-11, 11-8) in a tight encounter.
Chinese paddlers dominated in the women’s singles event as three players from China secured slot in the semifinals including Kuai Man, Shi Xunyao and Qin Yuxuan besides Satsuki Odo of Japan. Women's top seed Odo defeated her teammate Yokoi by 3-0 (11-7,12-10, 11-5) to book a semifinal against Kuai Man. Kuai Man beat her teammate Chen Yi 3-1 (11-13, 11-7, 10-12, 5-11). Xunyao moved to the last four after her resounding win over Doo Hoi Kem of Hong Kong by 3-0 (11-7,11-7,11-8) while Yuxuan beat Australia's Yangzi Liu 3-1 (18-16, 7-11, 11-6, 11-9).
The WTT Contender Muscat 2025 will conclude on Friday after six days of exciting competitions. Chief guest Shaikh Faisal bin Abdullah al Rawas, Chairman of Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, will deliver the trophies and medals to the top winners in all the categories including men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Many officials and top dignitaries will attend the finals including Khalil bin Ahmed al Muhanadi, ITTF Vice-President, besides other officials.
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