16th August 2026 – (Malmö) In Malmö, China placed three players in the women’s singles semi‑finals at the WTT Europe Smash as Wang Manyu, Wang Yidi and Kuai Man all advanced with contrasting wins. Top seed Wang Manyu defeated Peng Yu‑Han of Chinese Taipei 4‑1 and said she expected a sterner test next, promising to prepare thoroughly, play with freedom and fight for every point. Wang Yidi swept compatriot Shi Xunyao 4‑0, calling the contest tight despite the scoreline and stressing the need to stay calm, keep a steady rhythm and perform at her level in the last four.
Kuai Man edged Japan’s Hina Hayata 4‑3, sealing the decider 11‑8 after a match shaped by their frequent meetings. She credited decisive play and timely tactical shifts, and pledged to give everything against Wang Manyu in the semi‑final. China’s Chen Yi fell 4‑0 to Japan’s Miwa Harimoto and missed out on a place in the final four.
In the men’s singles quarter‑finals, Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic beat Egypt’s Omar Assar 4‑2, Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto swept France’s Alexis Lebrun 4‑0, Japan’s Sora Matsushima edged Sweden’s Elias Ranefur 4‑3, and France’s Felix Lebrun defeated Brazil’s Hugo Calderano 4‑1. The Lebrun brothers also claimed the men’s doubles title 3‑0 over Wong Chun Ting and Chan Baldwin of Hong Kong, China, while Japan’s Miwa Harimoto and Hina Hayata won the women’s doubles 3‑1 against Doo Hoi Kem and Ng Wing Lam, also of Hong Kong, China. The singles champions are due to be decided on Sunday at 9.00pm.
