Lin Yun-Ju and Cheng I-Ching_(Photo WTT)
Lin Yun-Ju-Cheng I-Ching smashed their way to the mixed doubles title at the WTT Star Contender London 2025 following their upset 8-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-6 victory over second seeds Wong Chun Ting-Doo Hoi Kem.
Meeting for the first time on the international stage since 2019, the stakes were high as Saudi Smash 2024 finalists Wong-Doo began their hunt for their first WTT Series winner’s title together, while their opponents were fighting for their first WTT Series trophy in three years.
As play got underway at Copper Box Arena, the seconds seeds flew out of the gates with an early 6-2 point lead, before eventually taking the first game 11-8.
The second game proved just as dramatic, with the score tightly locked at 9-9. The Chinese Taipei pair, however, would manage to steal two consecutive points to tie things up at one game apiece in this heated Final.
At 6-6 in the third, momentum began to shift, with Lin-Cheng displaying indomitable table tennis, the duo winning five out of the next six points to claim the game 11-7.
The unseeded team wouldn’t stop from there, shooting out of the block in the fourth game to put the Hong Kong, China pair behind at 7-2. Wong-Doo would attempt to fight back, but to no avail, as Lin-Cheng stormed through to claim the game 11-6, and with it, the match and title at Copper Box Arena.
Despite falling at the final hurdle, Wong-Doo’s performance in London has earned them qualification as a pair to WTT Finals Hong Kong 2025, where the duo will feature once again under the spotlight, as they aim to pursue ultimate glory at Hong Kong Coliseum.
Elsewhere, top seed Tomokazu Harimoto earned his rightful spot in the Men’s Singles Final after defeating Mixed Doubles champion Lin Yun-Ju in four games 5-11, 11-9, 11-3, 12-10.
Facing Harimoto in the title battle was none other than German star Dang Qiu, who narrowly overcame Polish hopeful Milosz Redzimski in five games 11-0, 7-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-5.
It was Dang Qiu who prevailed as the singles champion for the first time after upsetting Harimoto Men’s Singles Final at 13-11, 12-10, 14-12, 9-11, 7-11, 12-10.
The victory comes as a major achievement for the German ace, and one which also marks his first singles winner’s trophy at a WTT Series event since his triumph at WTT Contender Lima 2022, three years ago.
With the stage being set and the crowd ready, the action began at Copper Box Arena, the German star bursting out of the gates with a 5-2 lead, before Harimoto fought back to level at 5-5. The latter would hold a game point at 10-11, but Qiu wouldn’t give in, snatching the first game 13-11.
Momentum seemed to remain behind Qiu as he dominated early in the second game, racing to a 9-4 advantage, yet Harimoto fought back, impressively levelling the score at deuce. Once again, however, Qiu held firm, displaying nerves of steel to claim the game 12-10.
Despite the tough loss, Harimoto appeared undeterred. He came out firing in the third game, earning three game points at 10-7. But he was unable to convert, with Qiu mounting another dramatic comeback to take it 14-12.
The title seemed to be slipping from Harimoto’s grasp, but the Japanese star persevered, throwing everything he had to clinch two games on the trot, narrowing the gap to 3-2.
By the final stages of the sixth game, the match had reached its boiling point, with play locked down at 9-9. Brilliant use of shot variation saw Qiu earn his first match point, only to falter with a backhand counter-topspin error, prompting an eruption of emotion from Harimoto, the score now tied at 10-10.
Holding his nerve, however, Qiu struck back decisively, taking two consecutive points to seal the match and the title, as he reached for the sky in celebration.
It was an all-Japanese women’s singles final with Hina Hayata and Miwa Harimoto battling it out following their respective semifinal victories against Cheng I-Ching (11-13, 12-10, 11-6, 11-6) and Honoka Hashimoto (11-9, 11-7, 10-12, 11-5).
Top seeded Harimoto clinched her fifth WTT Series singles title of the year in London, overcoming compatriot Hayata in a thrilling seven-game showdown 5-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9.
Meeting for the fourth time this year, fans at the Copper Box Arena were treated to a spectacle as Harimoto and Hayata took to Table 1 for an all-out battle.
As play began, Hayata asserted early dominance, with the World No.14 displaying pinpoint precision and explosive power to secure the opening game 11-5.
Harimoto stayed neck and neck through the first half of the second game, keeping things even at 5-5, but Hayata once again pulled ahead, unleashing a barrage of forehand and backhand topspins to extend her lead to 2-0.
The third game was full of tension, as Harimoto’s 9-5 advantage was cut to 9-8, before Hayata faltered with a forehand error and an unlucky net cord, allowing Harimoto to take the game 11-9.
With momentum shifting, the top seed found her rhythm, storming through the next two games to seize the advantage for the first time in this electrifying contest.
Fortunes turned again in the sixth game, as Hayata surged ahead 6-3 in points. Following a Time-Out call, she continued her relentless attack to win 11-6, forcing a deciding seventh game at Copper Box Arena.
Both players received thunderous applause from the awe-struck crowd as they returned for the decider. In a fierce exchange of blistering topspin rallies, Harimoto captured four consecutive points to close out the match 11-9, and with it, the title.
