WTT Champions Macao 2025 - 9-14 Sep 2025

[TTTT]

Dima has withdrawn and is replaced in the draw by Xue Fei.

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Dima has withdrawn and is replaced in the draw by Xue Fei.

its probably too late for replacement to travel in, so they just choose someone who is already there (that is what I have heard previously when I questioned about CNT replacements)

 

[Bollwerk]

Dima has withdrawn and is replaced in the draw by Xue Fei.

Sadly Dima has withdrawn a lot this year, i don't really see him make it to LA28 which is still his goal.

 

[Bollwerk]

its probably too late for replacement to travel in, so they just choose someone who is already there (that is what I have heard previously when I questioned about CNT replacements)

Yes at events without qualifying draw there are a few reserve positions, but if you take them you have to travel there preemptively. Don't see any international players doing that, withdrawals after the draw don't happen often enough for it to be worthwhile.

I'm more curious about Poret replacing LJK a few days ago, he was only 3rd in line with LGY and Wen Ruibo ahead of him, why would CNT give that spot away.

 

[NextLevel]

Sadly Dima has withdrawn a lot this year, i don't really see him make it to LA28 which is still his goal.

Goals keep you going whether you achieve them is not entirely about you...

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Yes at events without qualifying draw there are a few reserve positions, but if you take them you have to travel there preemptively. Don't see any international players doing that, withdrawals after the draw don't happen often enough for it to be worthwhile.

I'm more curious about Poret replacing LJK a few days ago, he was only 3rd in line with LGY and Wen Ruibo ahead of him, why would CNT give that spot away.

XF has been the main replacer, both champions in Japan and Korea and Singapore smash
So all his 3 champions is by replacement.

No idea why Poret made the cut, he would have to be there in person?

 

[Bollwerk]

XF has been the main replacer, both champions in Japan and Korea and Singapore smash
So all his 3 champions is by replacement.

No idea why Poret made the cut, he would have to be there in person?

Not sure if the LJK withdrawal was early enough to still travel, somehow LGY or Wen Ruibo didn't get that spot. Poret was 35th on the entry rank, ahead of any other international players. At that point CTTA wouldn't know Dima is withdrawing and that they can use an onsite reserve player though. That they chose XF for that fair enough, although didn't Wen Ruibo look more promising lately as well?

 

[Catenaccio]

I think in the end, it was good for Honoka. She played Almaty and won, and she beat He Zhuojia, a traditional problem opponent for her. She might have gotten to play Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu at the Champions but I don't think the value in ranking points or personal belief would have been as valuable unless she beat those players. Nothing to complain about really... though I get it.

I agree with the general sentiment of this post. It looks like Hashimoto won't (most likely) be put at a disadvantage for not being able to participate in Macao given the way things worked out in Almaty and the draw in Macao.

• Odo will have to reach the SF and presumably get past Harimoto in R16 and KM or Mima Ito in the QF to add to her world ranking points
• Hayata will to reach the QF and presumably get past WMY in R16 to add to her world ranking points
• SXY and Miyu Nagasaki won't participate either

In addition, she can have a good recovery and hopefully prepare well for the China Smash.

 

[NextLevel]

Thankfully, Sreeja isn't Japanese or Chinese - I am sure there is toxic fandom in India as well, but I guess it won't be as bad as a Chinese or Japanese losing the first round of Champions every time...

 

[Janard]

Not sure if the LJK withdrawal was early enough to still travel, somehow LGY or Wen Ruibo didn't get that spot. Poret was 35th on the entry rank, ahead of any other international players. At that point CTTA wouldn't know Dima is withdrawing and that they can use an onsite reserve player though. That they chose XF for that fair enough, although didn't Wen Ruibo look more promising lately as well?

Wen is injured, courtesy of XX

 

[NextLevel]

An's backhand is so improved... but improvement means nothing to Hugo...

Wen is injured, courtesy of XX

What did XX do?

 

[NextLevel]

Wen is injured, courtesy of XX

Oh, Youtube commenters have explained that Wen got injured playing in CSL (against XX I suspect given your comments).

 

[zeio]

Not sure if the LJK withdrawal was early enough to still travel, somehow LGY or Wen Ruibo didn't get that spot. Poret was 35th on the entry rank, ahead of any other international players. At that point CTTA wouldn't know Dima is withdrawing and that they can use an onsite reserve player though. That they chose XF for that fair enough, although didn't Wen Ruibo look more promising lately as well?

Could be visa issue according to the Weibo comments which are also speculating why.

XF replacing Ovtcharov
https://weibo.com/7360795486/Q3BCtkmhg
Poret replacing LJK
https://weibo.com/7360795486/Q3kdawpX7
LJK withdrawing
https://weibo.com/7360795486/Q3kcZycLh

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

That they chose XF for that fair enough, although didn't Wen Ruibo look more promising lately as well?

I would choose Wen Ruibo over XF but XF seems to be the main choice throughout the year.
so including this edition, he has been Mr replacer 4 times in the big ones.

PS, XF has a win 4 loose 10 record in 2025.
of the 10 loss, only 1 is against a Chinese.

Other than being a penhold spairing partner, I'm not quite sure what his role is in the CNT and how he still gets so much opportunities.
LGL (the former boss) talked about giving young ones more chances....

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Thankfully, Sreeja isn't Japanese or Chinese - I am sure there is toxic fandom in India as well,

Not so much as far as I know.
she will now fly back home asap and try and get that "so difficult to get" Chinese Visa.

 

[mnt]

Oh, Youtube commenters have explained that Wen got injured playing in CSL (against XX I suspect given your comments).

Here's the clip:

 

[doppelmoral]

Interesting match between Hugo and An Jaehyun. There was a high focus on touch game, both very content to push and wait for opportunities to counter.

AJH had major leads in set 1 and set 2, and threw the lead twice. In set 2, it was even 8-1 at one point I believe, and Hugo still came back. To me, it seems like Hugo just kept playing his game, while AJH got nervous, hesitant and passive when being close to the finish line. AJH definitely has to work on his mental game

 

[backspacer]

Why is Alexis without a coach? Anyone know? Looks like he has no chance.

 

[Catenaccio]

Why is Alexis without a coach? Anyone know? Looks like he has no chance.

MS R32
LYJ vs Alexis Lebrun 3-0 (10,3,6)

I wanted to ask the same question as @backspacer. In addition, anyone know why Felix is not playing?

 

[Nakira]

Why is Alexis without a coach? Anyone know? Looks like he has no chance.

Chila was there for Jianan, but not for Alexis.
For sure there are some kind of drama in progress right now in the French team... Don't know what...