(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT)
If you only tuned in to the Singapore Smash for the two all-China Finals, you would have missed out on a weeks worth of drama – especially in the Men’s Draw. On the last day, it was a lot of familiar Chinese faces, with the Men’s Final going to World No. 2 Wang Chuqin over World No. 5 Liang Jingkun and the Women’s Final going to World No. 3 Wang Manyu over World No. 4 Wang Yidi.
If you look past the flags on the shirt, you’ll notice the main story line may be who was NOT on the final podiums. On the Men’s side, Fan Zhendong, Ma Long, and Lin Gaoyuan each fell early. And on the Women’s side, No. 1 fell in the Quarters and No. 2 fell in the Semis. As counter to the news of a Chinese sweep of all of the first places in the Singapore Smash, this may actually be good news for the rest of the world as the Olympics approach. That is, in an Olympic-style event with only two players from each country – Singapore may have just proven that the best Chinese are beatable, as the top ranked Chinese player lost in both events – in fact, neither World No. 1 would have medaled if this was the Olympics.
The Men’s Semifinal Matchups were Liang Jingkun versus Lin Yun-Ju and Felix Lebrun versus Wang Chuqin. Liang Jingkun fell behind early, but ultimately then tied the score and ultimately dominated the final two games, winning 4-2. Wang Chuqin had an easier time with Felix Lebrun, winning three games easily and splitting the two closer games for a 4-1 win. And in the Final on Sunday, Wang Chuqin won the first three games before splitting the final two games as he coasted to an easy 4-1 victory.
In Women’s Singles, it was all China in the Semifinals, but Wang Yidi and Wang Manyu each won easily (over Chen Xingtong and Chen Meng, respectively). Wang Manyu dominated the Final winning the first three games, and coasting to a 4-1 win.
Men’s Doubles went to Lin Gaoyuan and Ma Long – a 3-2 win over the higher ranked team of Fan Zhendong and Wang Chuqin. Women’s Doubles went to Chen Meng and Wang Manyu. Mixed Doubles went to Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha.
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