(C) World Table Tennis
SEOUL, South Korea — In a victory that may well be the most thrilling comeback against Chinese table tennis giants, South Korea's mixed doubles pair Lim Jonghoon and Shin Yubin have shattered records. The world No. 2 duo clinched a spectacular 3-1 victory over the world No. 1 Chinese pair, Lin Shidong and Kuai Man, securing South Korea's first-ever spot in the WTT Finals championship match.
The highly anticipated semifinal clash at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Hong Kong Finals 2025, held at 2:30 PM KST on December 13, saw the Korean pair triumph with set scores of 6-11, 11-6, 11-2, 14-12.
Lim and Shin will now vie for the coveted championship trophy in the final scheduled for 10:00 PM KST tonight. They are highly anticipated to face the winners of the other semifinal between China’s Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha (World No. 3) and Japan’s Matsushima Sora and Harimoto Miwa, with a clash against the formidable Chinese pair being the most likely scenario.
Momentum Shifts After Crucial Timeout
The match opened with a setback as Lim and Shin dropped the first game 6-11. However, the turning point came in the second game. Trailing 3-5, coach Ham Sori called a critical timeout, which completely revitalized the Korean duo. They immediately scored three consecutive points to take a 6-5 lead, and the momentum decisively shifted. Unforced errors began to creep into Kuai Man’s play. With Shin Yubin's powerful backhand drive and Lim Jonghoon's authoritative forehand topspin coming alive, they surged ahead 9-6, eventually closing out the game 11-6 to level the scores at 1-1.
Domination and Drama in the Deciding Games
The third game was a masterclass in Korean table tennis, as Lim and Shin exhibited flawless coordination and precision, overwhelming the Chinese pair to jump to a commanding 7-1 lead. Visible frustration mounted on the faces of the Chinese duo. At game point (10-2), a rare service error from Lin Shidong capped a one-sided game, sending the Chinese players back to their bench with heads bowed.
The fourth game proved to be the dramatic decider. It was a breathless, point-for-point battle that pushed the players into a nerve-wracking deuce. At 13-12, the match culminated as Kuai Man's return missed the table. Lim Jonghoon pumped his fist in a burst of elation, while Shin Yubin beamed, savoring the monumental, comeback victory.
Strategy and Smiles
In a post-match interview, Lim Jonghoon credited the victory to their unwavering execution of their game plan. "We came in with a strategy," he explained, "and sticking to it without wavering, which Coach Ham and Yubin emphasized, was the key to turning the tide right after the second-game timeout."
Shin Yubin, whose perpetual smile during play has become her signature, responded to a comment about her impressive demeanor. "I will continue to work hard with Jonghoon-oppa to show our best until the very end," she affirmed.
With this historic semi-final win, Lim Jonghoon and Shin Yubin have not only secured their place in the final but have also delivered a compelling statement about the rising power of Korean table tennis on the international stage.
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