The 2025 China Table Tennis Super League (CTTSL) continued on July 25, and it delivered one of the most surprising results of the season so far. Representing Huangshi Base · Huaxin Club, world No. 1 Lin Shidong suffered his second singles defeat of the day, this time being upset 1-3 by penhold veteran Zhao Zihao of Shanghai Real Estate Group. With this, Lin dropped two singles matches in one matchday, following an earlier 0-3 loss to Fan Zhendong, and his team ultimately fell 1-3 overall to Shanghai. Let’s take a closer look.
🎯 Spotlight: Lin Shidong Under Pressure
As the highest-ranked male player in the world, expectations are naturally sky-high for Lin Shidong. However, his recent form in the CTTSL has left fans questioning whether he’s living up to that ranking:
In the first stage, Lin narrowly lost to Fan Zhendong 2-3.
In the second stage, he was swept 0-3 by Fan again in a rematch.
Soon after, he faced world No. 780 Zhao Zihao—and suffered another defeat.
🏓 Match Recap: Zhao Zihao 3–1 Lin Shidong
Game 1: Strong Start from Lin
Lin exploited the classic shakehand vs. penhold dynamic, targeting Zhao’s wide forehand and using strong rally control to win 11-6.
Game 2: Zhao Strikes Back
Zhao turned the tide by using early initiative and aggressive third-ball attacks, disrupting Lin’s rhythm and taking the second game 11-7.
Game 3: Momentum Shift
Both players battled fiercely in this game. Lin held slight advantages in rallies, but unforced errors proved costly. Zhao stayed composed and closed the game 11-9, pulling ahead 2-1.
Game 4: Sealing the Upset
Lin fought with urgency and had multiple leads, but Zhao refused to give in. After saving match points and countering Lin’s pressure, Zhao held his nerve and won 13-11, clinching a 3-1 victory over the top-ranked player in the world.
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📊 Team Match Summary: Shanghai 3–1 Huangshi Base
Shanghai Real Estate Group scored their first win in the second stage, defeating Huangshi Base 3–1. Here are the results:
Zhao Zihao / Zhou Kai def. Xiang Peng / Xue Fei – 3-2 (11-5, 8-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-5)
Fan Zhendong def. Lin Shidong – 3-0 (12-10, 12-10, 11-9)
Xiang Peng def. Zhou Kai – 3-0 (11-7, 11-9, 11-9)
Zhao Zihao def. Lin Shidong – 3-1 (6-11, 11-7, 11-9, 13-11)
👀 What’s Next?
Fan Zhendong is now on an 8-match singles winning streak in the CTTSL and is looking in top form.
Lin Shidong, after dropping two matches in a single day, faces mounting pressure. Will he bounce back and find his rhythm again?
The league is heating up, and plenty of drama lies ahead—stay tuned for more top-level action!
