After three intense days of competition, the ITTF Men’s and Women’s Singles World Cup 2025 enters a new chapter. Sixty-four players have been eliminated, leaving only the group winners to progress. Now, the Top 16 in both draws stand tall as the tournament transitions to Stage 2. With the knockout rounds beginning tomorrow, the stakes are higher than ever as the remaining players prepare for the thrilling Round of 16 battles.
In the Men’s singles, World No. 1 and tournament favourite Lin Shidong of China is set to clash with Sweden’s Anton Kallberg. Kallberg has come tantalizingly close in their last two encounters but couldn’t seal the deal. The Swede, yet to drop a game in the group stages, will aim to secure his first victory over the Chinese prodigy in what promises to be a thrilling showdown.
European stars Simon Gauzy (France) and Truls Moregardh (Sweden) are gearing up for an exciting Round of 16 clash. Known for their showmanship and flair, these two crowd favourites promise to deliver an electrifying spectacle. With their first-ever meeting on the international stage, fans can look forward to thrilling long-range rallies, inventive tactics, and jaw-dropping trick shots in this high-stakes battle.
Liang Jingkun of China is set to face Japan’s Shunsuke Togami, the tournament’s giant killer who ousted last year’s runner-up, Lin Gaoyuan in the group stages. Determined to avenge his compatriot, Jingkun will aim to extend his unbeaten record against Togami while pushing forward in this highly anticipated matchup.
In a highly anticipated ‘All German’ showdown, Benedikt Duda takes on Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the lone former World Cup champion in the draw. Ovtcharov, buoyed by his strong form against left-handers, including a group stage victory over Lin Yun Ju of Chinese Taipei, will aim to extend his momentum in this clash of compatriots.
In the Women’s singles, World No. 1 and defending champion Sun Yingsha of China begins her Stage 2 campaign against Austrian left-hander Sofia Polcanova. Yingsha boasts a flawless record against the 2-time European Champion, having never suffered a defeat and not dropping a single game in their last three encounters—a streak she will be eager to extend.
Hina Hayata (Japan) and Cheng I-Ching (Chinese Taipei) are set for another gripping showdown in what will be their tenth meeting on the international stage. While Hina leads the head-to-head 6-3, Cheng’s recent victory at the ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup 2025 adds an extra layer of intrigue. With both players eager to assert dominance, this promises to be a fascinating contest.
Bernadette Szocs (Romania) and Bruna Takahashi (Brazil) are gearing up for their fifth career meeting, both riding high on confidence following impressive wins—Szocs against Sreeja Akula and Takahashi against Manika Batra. While Szocs holds a slight edge with a 3-1 lead in their head-to-head record, Takahashi’s recent form makes her a formidable challenger in this thrilling matchup.
Lastly, in the clash of the titans, former World Champion and World No. 2 Wang Manyu of China takes on Japanese sensation Miwa Harimoto, ranked World No. 5. Manyu holds a commanding record in this rivalry, with four wins, including a convincing straight-sets victory at the WTT Champions, Chongqing 2025. However, Harimoto, with her youthful energy and undeniable talent, will be determined to close the gap and turn the tide in this blockbuster clash. With plenty of exciting matchups, the tournament is getting more exciting than ever.
Fans can follow the draws and results here.
