Muscat: World Ranking No 3, Tomokazu Harimoto, delivered an outstanding show and managed to secure slot in the men’s singles quarters of the WTT Contender Muscat 2025 following his resounding triumph over Jinabo MA from the USA by 3-1 (13-11, 11-5, 9-11, 14-12). The victory meant that the top seed in the tournament will meet the winner between Huang Youzheng from China and Simon Guazy, who played during the evening session on Wednesday.
Wong Chun from Hong Kong moved to quarterfinals after he blanked Huang Yan from Chinese Taipei by 3-0 (6-11, 2-11, 14-16). French paddler, Lilian Bardet, stun Japan’s Hiroto Shinozuka by 3-2 in a tough encounter. The French player will face Kuo Guan-Hong from Chinese Taipei in quarterfinals as Kuo Guan edged Xiang Peng from China by 3-1 (12-10, 11-8, 2-11, 11-8).
In women’s singles, World No 6 Satsuki Odo beat India’s Ayhika Mukherjee 3-1 to seal spot in the quarterfinals while Chinese paddler Kuai Man, World No 44, outclassed Suh Hyo from South Korea 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 12-10).
Hong Kong paddler Doo Hoi Kem surprised all as she beat World No 18 Bruna Takahashi from Brazil by 3-0 to progress into last 8 teams. She will meet Shi Xunyao from China following her victory over Yeh Yi-Tian from Chinese Taipei by 3-1 (11-7,11-7, 11-13,11-4).
The final match of mixed doubles will be played on Thursday after French duo of Thibault and Leana will meet Shi and Huang from China in the first semifinal while Prithika and Simon from France will take on Maria and Alvaro from Spain in the second semifinal.
The WTT Contender Muscat 2025 will conclude on Saturday as the finals of all the remaining events will be held at the main indoor hall of Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
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