The WTT Doha Stars Challenge Mixed Doubles final ushered in a clash of highlights, with Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin taking on Lin Shidong and Kuo Man. The duo of Lin Shidong and Kuo Man have beaten Sun Yingsha many times in the second half of this year, and I believe this game is also very exciting for fans. Lin Shidong and Kuo Man's receiving techniques are very advanced, and Kuo Man's line is flexible, which creates a lot of pressure on Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin.
These two pairs are also the first choice for the coaching staff to compete in the mixed doubles competition at the Olympic Games, and whichever pair is in better shape outside the competition will be able to participate in the mixed doubles competition at this year's Olympics. This is the principle for the national table tennis coaching staff to choose the mixed doubles combination of the Olympic Games, because only one pair will participate in the mixed doubles competition, and it must maintain stability.
Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin have indeed been tested in more games and have always been the first choice of the coaching staff. But since the end of the 2023 World Table Tennis Championships, the pair has had different problems. Wang Chuqin's state fluctuated greatly, and Sun Yingsha's technical shortcomings in the hair extension link also showed, relying too much on Wang Chuqin's return attack.
The pair's unbeaten record in foreign wars was also broken by Zhang Benmei and the combination, and it is impossible to say that the pair has no crisis. It is precisely because of the ups and downs of Sun Yingsha's combination that the combination of Lin Shidong and Kuo Man has been trained by the coaching staff.
Kuoman has always been at the heart of the pair, and many of the male players have been unable to limit Kuaiman's returns, and although she is a female player, she has a high quality counter-attack in the game. Many of Lin Shidong's attacking opportunities in the mixed doubles match were created by Kuaiman, and only by limiting Kuaiman could he usher in victory.
Sun Yingsha's tactics are more varied, but due to the lack of hair extensions, in the mixed doubles competition, Lin Shidong's combination can only play some cohesion, and the main attack is launched by Wang Chuqin. Once Wang Chuqin is restricted by the other party, the other party will be able to usher in a reversal.
However, Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha are in good shape in this challenge, and Sun Yingsha has also made some changes in the service link. If the mixed doubles match can limit the direct attack of the Lin Shidong combination through the service round, then the Sun Wang combination can win the championship. The Challenger is also the pair's best mixed doubles chance, with their last win coming at the Asian Games.
The duo of Lin Shidong and Kuo Man are indeed the favorites to win the championship, while Sun Yingsha and Wang Chuqin are the challengers this time. As long as the technical cooperation of the hair extension link is done, Sun Yingsha's combination can still win the championship. In the men's singles semifinals, the match between Wang Chuqin and Lin Gaoyuan was also very interesting.
Lin Gaoyuan did lose more against Wang Chuqin, and in the eyes of fans, the two have a similar style of play. Wang Chuqin's fast attack in near Taiwan is very oppressive, Lin Gaoyuan also defeated Ma Long in the last round, his backhand attack in near Taiwan is mainly defensive counterattack, or should increase some offensive aggressiveness.
If the offensive pressure on Wang Chuqin's first three boards is not great, or if he is knocked back by the opponent, it will be difficult to win. In fact, Lin Gaoyuan also wants to break through Wang Chuqin, and he has already broken through Ma Long, and he has to win at least one game against Wang Chuqin. But Wang Chuqin's state was very hot, and he directly won the championship and defeated Fan Zhendong in the finals.
Moreover, Wang Chuqin has an advantage in the results of the two sides, and his self-confidence in the game is indeed more sufficient. This game is a downwind for Lin Gaoyuan, and if Wang Chuqin is dragged into the tiebreaker, he may still be able to see a chance to win. On the whole, Wang Chuqin is more likely to defeat Lin Gaoyuan.
Because Wang Chuqin's goal is to continue to win the championship because he has the motivation to participate in the Olympics. Although Lin Gaoyuan also wants to participate in this Olympic Games, he has the idea of trying it out, and although he is also trying to break through, the challenges in the singles competition are too great. If Lin Gaoyuan can get a quota place in the Olympic team event, it will actually be very good.
Both of them have a fast-break game rhythm, but Wang Chuqin has a slight advantage. It depends on how Lin Gaoyuan breaks the game in the game, and I believe he is also ready for the game. Fans also hope that Lin Gaoyuan will break through Wang Chuqin, and only by having the courage to break through can he enhance his self-confidence.
Liang Jingkun and Lin Shidong will be very exciting in the semi-finals, Liang Jingkun played a very prominent foreign battle in this challenge, narrowly defeated Lin Yunru in the deciding game, and also defeated his old rival Hayasuke Togami. Lin Shidong defeated Fan Zhendong in the last round because the opponent retired early, and Lin Shidong was defeated by Qiu Dang in the previous finals.
Liang Jingkun has more experience than Lin Shidong, who is currently a challenger. Although this young player has been trained by the coaching staff, it is difficult to grow up as soon as possible because the competitiveness is too high. He can only grow up slowly and explore slowly, Liang Jingkun is definitely the upper hand in the face of Lin Shidong.
Liang Jingkun has continued his good performance in foreign wars from the finals to this Star Challenge, and Lin Shidong still has to strengthen his ability to fight foreign wars. Both of these players are the kind of strength type of play, and they are both representative players of the men's heavy ball play, and the quality of single cricket is very high. Liang Jingkun also won the men's doubles championship this time, and participated in the Star Challenge in three cases.
Although Lin Shidong also wears many hats, the most powerful event to win the championship is the mixed doubles competition. Liang Jingkun has just won the doubles championship in full swing, and Lin Shidong will participate in the mixed doubles final after this match, without any break in between. This can seem rushed and have an impact on the player's performance.
Since the tournament organizer has such a schedule, as a player, you can only go all out. Liang Jingkun is more likely to defeat Lin Shidong, not only because of his strength, but also because of other objective factors.