Denmark's Anders Lind stuns Chinese World No 1 in career-defining performance

Anders Lind created a huge surprise by beating the Chinese World No.1
Anders Lind created a huge surprise by beating the Chinese World No.1Credit: Adekunle Ajayi/NurPhoto / Shutterstock Editorial / Profimedia

Denmark's Anders Lind produced another career-defining performance on Friday morning as he defeated the defending champion and world No. 1 Wang Chuqin in the men's singles quarterfinals at the World Table Tennis United States Smash tournament.

Lind already pulled off a huge upset against Wang two years ago at China Smash 2024, and he repeated the feat on Friday morning with a 3-1 victory, to end Wang's bid to become the first men's singles player to win three consecutive WTT Grand Smash titles.

The 15th-ranked Dane began brightly, taking four of the opening five points and seizing the first game 13-11 after saving a game point. High on confidence, he then basically humiliated Wang, running through the second game 11-2 to leave the defending champion with a mountain to climb. Wang managed to cut the deficit, winning the third 11-8, but Lind kept his cool to close out the fourth 11-7.

"I feel euphoric, that's the best description," Lind said. "I feel like I'm in a state of pure happiness, I'm extremely proud", said Lind in his winner's interview after the match. 

"It was a tough match, especially in the last game, where I started with a lead, playing very well. Then I got a little bit nervous, made a few decisions that, looking back, I should have made a little bit differently, but I didn't let it make me angry. I kept thinking about what I could do for the next point, and I managed to narrow down the game home."

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