Redzimski comes close to beating Chuqin (Photo by WTT)
Wang Chuqin survived a major scare at the China Smash, holding off a stunning comeback charge to deny Milosz Redzimski a remarkable upset, winning 11-7, 11-4, 10-12, 8-11, 11-8.
Exactly one year on from Wang Chuqin’s shock Round of 32 exit at China Smash 2024, all eyes were on the World No.1 to see if he could exorcise those demons from last year.
Stepping onto Infinity ∞ Arena with purpose, Wang was motivated to clear this test as quickly as possible, storming out of the starting blocks to take an early lead, before doubling his advantage to two games.
However, Redzimski, who made a name for himself earlier this year at Singapore Smash with a Top 16 finish there, would begin to enter his element.
With nothing to lose, the 19-year-old Polish ace went for broke, hammering through the ball to open up a staggering 2-8 lead in the third. While Wang would claw himself back, even retaking the lead at one point, Redzimski would hold on.
That would significantly alter the trajectory of the match as Redzimski made his move. Another outstanding display from the underdog in game four would send the match to a deciding game, sending shockwaves around Shougang Park.
Nervous energy would begin to reverberate throughout the stands, and at 0-3 down in the fifth, Wang Chuqin had no choice but to burn his one time out. That break in play would prove another pivotal moment in the match, giving Wang the reset he desperately needed, and it paid off as the top seed found a new burst of life.
Having come so far in a roller coaster match, Redzimski kept things tight right to the end, fighting back from 9-6 to 9-8. But the match would slip away from him at the death, as Wang kept his cool to send the Beijing crowd wild.
Throwing his fist in the air towards coach Wang Hao in celebration, Wang Chuqin had passed the test that haunted him 12 months ago, banking his ticket to the last 16. For his opponent, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
“I Had A Really Good Chance To Beat The World No.1!”
Producing a brave performance from start to finish, Milosz Redzimski displayed maturity well beyond his years inside the cauldron that was Infinity ∞ Arena.
While his week ends in disappointment, the Pole can return home with his head held high, taking one of the sport’s best-ever players all the way in a match he’ll never forget.
“Right now, I’m really sad because I had a really good chance to beat the World No.1. I had a high ball at 9-8 (in game five), it could have been 9-9, I had a very big chance. It’s hard to say anything right now. Maybe after a while I will say that I’m happy that I’m able to compete at this level, to almost beat Wang Chuqin, but I always want to win, so I’m sad about it.” said Redzimski.
Mima Ito, who this week celebrates 500 total weeks in the World Top 20, encountered a frustrating second round setback in Beijing.
Facing off against Joo Cheonhui for the second time in a little under three months, it was the Korean player who stormed to victory, dishing out payback for her United States Smash 2025 loss as she outclassed Ito in four games (11-5, 11-13, 11-5, 11-7).
Joo is through to the last 16 of a WTT Grand Smash event for the first time in over a year, last reaching the hurdle at Singapore Smash 2024.
Qualifier Kazuki Hamada also made a big impact in the day’s opening session, extending his dream run at China Smash.
Appearing at his first WTT Grand Smash event, Hamada has been nothing short of a revelation, powering his way through the draw at a rate of knots.
On Wednesday, he picked up another outstanding win, defeating WTT Star Contender Chennai champion Oh Junsung (9-11, 12-10, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4) to bank his ticket to the last 16 in style.
Meanwhile, the Mixed Doubles event has lost its No.2 seeds, with Sora Matsushima and Miwa Harimoto falling at the hands of Huang Youzheng and Chen Yi (11-5, 13-11, 11-7).
