Yukiya dismantles Truls

The knockouts at China Smash are proving merciless with a day where reputations were tested, upsets unfolded, and new stars announced themselves in front of a passionate audience at Shougang Park.

The story of the afternoon belonged to Yukiya Uda, who dismantled Truls Moregard in four games (11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 11-3). Coming off the high of his Europe Smash – Sweden 2025 triumph, Moregard was widely tipped to go deep in Beijing, but Uda’s resilience flipped the script.

Having already ousted Lin Yun-Ju earlier in the week, Uda has now scalped another titan and books a quarterfinal date with China Smash defending champion Lin Shidong.

Japan’s firepower continued to shine in the Men’s Singles as Sora Matsushima eliminated Liang Jingkun in a pulsating five-game battle (11-4, 9-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8).

Liang, a two-time Grand Smash finalist, once again saw his title chase cut short, while Matsushima continues to rise after his WTT Contender Taiyuan breakthrough earlier this season. World No.1 Wang Chuqin awaits him in the quarterfinals after eliminating An Jaehyun 3-0 (11-9, 11-4, 11-7).

Elsewhere, Felix Lebrun brought Eduard Ionescu’s dream run to an end with a ruthless 3-0 sweep (11-5, 11-7, 11-1). Ionescu, who had already taken out Alexis Lebrun and Jonathan Groth, leaves Beijing with his best Grand Smash performance to date, while Lebrun now looks to push deeper into the draw. Next up? A quarterfinals date with qualifier Chen Junsong.

In the Round of 16 of the women’s singles, Korean sensation Shin Yubin stole the headlines. Facing World No.4 Kuai Man, Shin went toe-to-toe in a dramatic five-gamer, holding her nerve to clinch victory 3-2 (7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9).

It marks Shin’s third Grand Smash quarterfinal, and perhaps her most important, as she eyes a career-best finish, but not before a showdown with compatriot Joo Cheonhui. Joo outlasted Shi Xunyao in a clean 3-0 (11-3, 11-6, 11-9) takedown, matching her best Grand Smash performance since Singapore Smash 2023.

Miwa Harimoto added her name to the list of victors, avenging her recent loss to compatriot Satsuki Odo with a measured 3-1 win (6-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-3), booking her ride to the quarterfinals in the face of World No.2 Wang Manyu.

Wang wasted no time at all in her 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-5) takedown of Hina Hayata.

Meanwhile Chen Xingtong had to dig deep to escape Li Yu-Jhun in five (8-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-9, 11-4), the third seed’s grit proved enough to keep her campaign alive as she gears up to face Zhu Yuling in the quarterfinals. The US Smash 2025 champion made it look effortless in the Infinity∞Arena, as she dismantled rising star Chen Yi 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-7).

The Mixed Doubles semifinals set the tone for a final that will have Shougang Park roaring. Wildcard duo Huang Youzheng and Chen Yi continued their improbable run, outlasting Yuan Licen and Wang Yidi 3-1 (11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7) to punch their ticket to an all-Chinese final match, in the face of the deadly duo Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha. 

Wang and Sun were all business in their semifinal clash against Hugo Calderano and Bruna Takahashi, sending the Brazilian power couple on their way with a ruthless 3-0 (11-3, 11-3, 11-7) takedown.