The men\u2019s singles title race has been blown wide open at Singapore Smash table tennis championship after Chen Yuanyu pulled off a mighty upset to eliminate No.2 seed Hugo Calderano 6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-9 in their last 16 clash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Calderano entered the week as one of the hot favourites in Singapore, and had been working his way through the draw nicely, posting convincing victories over Ricardo Walther and Wong Chun Ting on his way to the Round of 16.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Everything appeared to be going according to plan for Calderano early on in the showdown, with the Thrill from Brazil locking up the opening game by a healthy five-point margin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But quiet confidence would quickly evaporate as Yuanyu stepped things up in the second, meeting Calderano head on in the explosive rallies, and with game two going to the Chinese player, all of a sudden, we had a match on our hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Considering everything that had come beforehand, game three was absolutely crucial for both players. Yuanyu had been presented the opportunity to ramp up the pressure on his higher-ranked opponent, and he more than delivered, frustrating Calderano with game point saves at 8-10 and 9-10 to put the Brazilian under the cosh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The tide had well and truly turned, with Yuanyu now very much the player in the ascendency. Calderano, who reached the semifinals here in Singapore back in 2023, was now in real danger of seeing his week come to a premature halt. Soon the unthinkable would become reality, as Yuanyu kept his foot on the gas to send shockwaves around The Kallang.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adding to eye-catching victories over Darko Jorgic and Milosz Redzimski, the week just gets better and better for Yuanyu, who is quickly making a name for himself at Singapore Smash 2026. Meanwhile, Calderano\u2019s wait for a first WTT Grand Smash title goes on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n