Wang Chuqin into men's singles semis at TT worlds

Wang Chuqin (R) hits a return during the men's singles quarterfinal between Wang Chuqin of China and Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei at ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 in Doha, Qatar, May 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

Second-seeded Wang Chuqin subdued Chinese Taipei's Lin Yun-Ju in straight sets to reach the men's singles semifinals at the World Table Tennis Championships on Friday.

Seeking his first world championship singles title, Wang won 12-10, 11-8, 11-8, 12-10 over 46 minutes.

The left-handed Wang unsettled Lin from the start with a series of stunning serves and piercing forehands that forced his opponent into rallies that mostly went in Wang's way.

Wang also used his step-around forehand effectively to curb Lin's attacking options and leveraged his southpaw angles to disrupt his opponent's rhythm.

"We were close in terms of technique," said Wang. "I handled details and clutch points a bit better."

"Big events like this are tests of mentality and place a heavy toll on your mind," he added. "It's hard to stay cool-headed throughout. I just tried to compose myself."

Wang will next play the winner between Japan's Shunsuke Togami and Sweden's Truls Moregard.