China sweeps Australia to reach men's last-16 at table tennis team worlds

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2026-05-05 21:12:15

Wang Hao (2nd R), coach of China, celebrates as Wang Chuqin of China competes in the singles match against Aditya Sareen of Australia during the men's teams round of 32 match between China and Australia at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

LONDON, May 5 (Xinhua) -- China cruised to a 3-0 victory over Australia on Tuesday to advance to the men's team last 16 at the 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals.

Liang Jingkun gave China the lead after recovering from a 9-6 deficit in the first game against Nicholas Lum by winning five straight points to turn it around.

Liang then took control of the match, winning the next two games 11-5 and 11-6.

"I tried to get into the match as soon as possible. My performance and feeling on the court was better than that in the past two days," Liang said.

Liang Jingkun of China competes in the singles match against Nicholas Lum of Australia during the men's teams round of 32 match between China and Australia at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

World No. 1 Wang Chuqin made light work of the second match, beating Aditya Sareen 11-9, 11-1, 11-2 as the defending champion moved 2-0 ahead.

"I was a bit tight in the first game, but overall, I took control of the rhythm throughout the match," Wang noted.

Watched courtside by Chinese table tennis icons Ma Long, Xu Xin and Liu Shiwen, Wang said he and his teammates felt "steady and sure."

"With so many seasoned players supporting us, it serves as a testament to the Chinese table tennis team's legacy," he added.

Wang Chuqin of China competes in the singles match against Aditya Sareen of Australia during the men's teams round of 32 match between China and Australia at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

Lin Shidong, who at times struggled in the group stage, sealed the win with an 11-5, 11-4, 11-7 victory over Australia's Finn Luu.

"I haven't played him for a long time since the World Youth Championships [in 2021]. Actually it was not an easy match, especially in the third game, he made changes to his serves, which put me under pressure, but I held firm to win," Lin said.

Lin Shidong of China competes in the singles match against Finn Luu of Australia during the men's teams round of 32 match between China and Australia at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Britain, on May 5, 2026. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

China will face Romania, which eliminated Poland 3-2 on Monday, in the next round.

Also on Tuesday, Chinese Taipei eased past Serbia 3-0 in the men's team round of 32, while in the women's competition, Japan swept Croatia 3-0 and Italy beat Portugal 3-1.

The men's and women's round-of-16 matches will be held on Wednesday. ■