Sora Matsushima Shines, Tomokazu Harimoto Out

The men’s singles quarterfinals in the bottom half of the 2026 Macau Table Tennis World Cup have concluded, with Sora Matsushima and Lin Yun-ju advancing to the semifinals. The two will now face each other for a spot in the final.

Matsushima delivered a dominant performance against Sweden’s Truls Möregårdh, sweeping him 4-0 (11-7, 11-7, 11-8, 11-1). Despite trailing 1-5 in their previous head-to-head record, Matsushima took control from the very start with aggressive play and relentless pace.

His quick close-table attacks completely neutralized Möregårdh’s spin variations. The fourth game, ending 11-1, highlighted his dominance. Möregårdh struggled throughout, failing to find rhythm, especially on serve. Even after a timeout in the third game, he couldn’t recover, eventually suffering a heavy defeat.

In the other quarterfinal, Lin Yun-ju faced Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto. After dropping the first game 12-14, Lin adjusted brilliantly, winning four straight games to complete a 4-1 comeback (12-14, 11-5, 11-7, 11-9, 11-4).

Lin showcased strong forehand attacks and superior rally transitions, outpacing Harimoto in overall tempo. While Harimoto had an edge in backhand speed, his attack patterns appeared more predictable. After the match, Lin remarked that he had to perform beyond his usual level to secure the win.

The semifinal matchup between Matsushima and Lin promises a high-speed duel. Both are left-handed and rely heavily on pace. Matsushima brings youthful momentum, while Lin carries consistency and a psychological edge—having won six consecutive meetings against Matsushima since 2024.