He is actively playing the role of the 'big brother.' Lee Sang-soo (34, Samsung Life, world No. 45), the oldest active male table tennis player in Korea, defeated China's strong player Lin Gaoyuan (30, No. 10) in the quarterfinals held on the afternoon of the 5th. He advanced to the semifinals of the men's singles at the 'WTT Champions Incheon 2025.'
This tournament is a best-of-seven starting from the quarterfinals, increasing the number of required wins. Lee Sang-soo showed an advantage over Lin Gaoyuan from the beginning. He led the flow with an offensive style. The first game went to deuces, but most points were decided from Lee Sang-soo's attacking attempts. He secured the first two games but lost the third. However, Lee Sang-soo's 'all-out attack mode' continued. He won the fourth game in another deuce battle. He lost the fifth game but regained his focus, and the momentum tilted in his favor. Ultimately, it finished in the sixth game, where Lee Sang-soo had a one-sided advantage. The match ended 4-2 (12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-4).
The WTT Champions Incheon 2025 is the second WTT senior stage held in Korea. Last year, at the same venue, the best performance was by Jeon Ji-hee (retired), who reached the quarterfinals alone in the first Champions, while the men's team was eliminated in the round of 16 or below. Lee Sang-soo also lost to French player Simon Gauzy in the round of 16 last year. In this year's tournament, which has returned after a year, he has progressed from the round of 16 to the quarterfinals and now to the semifinals, setting a new record.
Lee Sang-soo officially stepped down from the national team earlier this year. It appears that a 'burden-free' challenge is leading to the best results. He has successively defeated tough opponents, including Felix Lebrun (18, France, world No. 6) in the round of 32, Anders Lind (26, Denmark, No. 32) in the round of 16, and Lin Gaoyuan in the quarterfinals, noting, "Clearing my mind and focusing on the match has led to good results." This tournament is particularly notable as Lee Sang-soo shines while all other national team players have been eliminated.
Lee Sang-soo's next opponent in the semifinals is Taiwanese ace Lin Yun-ju (23, No. 14). Lin Yun-ju achieved a resounding victory over Japan's hopeful Matsushima Sora (17, No. 3) with a score of 4-1 (11-9, 11-5, 11-3, 4-11, 11-4). Lin Yun-ju is a talented player recognized as a 'genius' since his debut, showcasing creative game management. He previously met Lee Sang-soo in the 2019 Asian Cup, where Lee Sang-soo lost in a fierce 4-3 full-game match. There is a chance for Lee Sang-soo, who is maintaining his best condition, to win. The semifinal match between Lee Sang-soo and Lin Yun-ju is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on the last day of the tournament, the 6th.
Meanwhile, the WTT Champions Incheon 2025, which is nearing its climax, has half of its men's and women's singles semifinals determined, with the remaining quarterfinal matches about to start. In the men's singles, Lin Yun-ju and Lee Sang-soo have reached the semifinals, while in the women's singles, Zhu Yuling (Macau) and Harimoto Misaki (Japan) have also advanced. Shortly in the evening matches, Korean women's table tennis ace Shin Yu-bin (Korean Air) will also challenge the tournament's No. 1 seed Wang Yidi (China) in her semifinal match. If she overcomes Wang Yidi, she will face Zhu Yuling in the semifinals.
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