Shin Yubin (26th-Korean Air) put her mixed doubles disappointment behind her and reached the round of 16 in the singles to continue her quest for her first World Championships medal.
On day five of the 2023 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Championships in Durban, South Africa, the 26-year-old defeated Jiannan Yuan (18th-France) 4-3 (9-11 11-9 11-9 8-11 9-11 11-5 12-10) in the third round of the women’s singles on Thursday (June 24) after an hour and three minutes of play.
Yuan, a naturalized Chinese player, is a 37-year-old veteran, 19 years older than Xin Yubin. He is ranked eight spots higher than Hsin-Yu Bin. She won the mixed doubles gold medal at the European Championships last year.
With the score tied at 2-3, Xin Yubin was down 2-6 in the final game and looked like she was going to lose, but she fought back to create a deuce and win the match.
Shin Yubin pumped his fists in the air as he clinched the victory. He also drew a heart toward the crowd.
Earlier in the day, Shin, along with Lim Jong-hoon (KOSDAQ), lost to Japan’s world No. 2 pair of Hina Hayata and Tomokazu Harimoto in the mixed doubles quarterfinals.
Their disappointment was even greater as they were expected to win a medal, but their unwavering spirit allowed them to advance to the round of 16 in singles.
After her singles match, Shin returned to the bench and sat down, looking nervous.
“It was a very difficult match, and I’m glad I got through it,” she said, adding, “I had goosebumps when (the final game) was 10-10.”
Next up for Xin Yubin is world number one Sun Yingxia (CHINA). Sun Yingxia is in top form with an unbeaten streak.
“She doesn’t lose very often. That’s why she’s the No. 1 player in the world,” he said, adding, “I think she’s a tough player, so I will prepare thoroughly and make a good match.”
Lim Jong-hoon also reached the round of 16 after coming from behind to defeat Lubomir Piste (86th-ranked Slovakia) 4-2 (7-11 8-11 11-7 11-6 11-7 11-5) in the men’s singles third round.
Lim also faces a tough quarterfinal opponent in “The Dragoon” Marung (#3-China).
With 13 World Championships and five Olympic gold medals, Marung is considered one of the greatest players in table tennis history.
스포츠토토 She won three consecutive World Championship singles titles in Budapest in 2019. She did not compete in Houston in 2021.
“If I lose because I’m a Chinese player, I’ll stop playing table tennis,” said Lim Jong-hoon, “Even if I lose 0-4, I’ll play with all my strength until the end.”
Men’s table tennis ‘ace’ Jang Woo-jin (Mirae Asset Securities) also cruised into the round of 16.
He defeated Taiwo Marty (91st-ranked Nigeria) 4-0 (11-3 11-7 11-7 11-5) in straight sets.
Jang’s next opponent will be Denmark’s 180th-ranked Anders Linde. Lind is coming off an unexpected win over Iranian powerhouse Nosheed Alamiyan (ranked 57).
A win over Lind will likely set up a quarterfinal clash with China’s world No. 2 Wang Chuchin.
Meanwhile, Jeon Jeon-hee (36th-ranked Mirae Asset Securities) crashed out of the women’s singles third round with a 0-4 (9-11 6-11 6-11 10-12) loss to Miu Hirano (19th-ranked Japan).