Both Tomokazu Harimoto and Lin Shidong created a dramatic seven-round US Smash 2025 men's singles semi-final.
The Japanese tennis player entered the match full-peat, continuously pressing left to open the angle to score. His proactive playing style helped him win the first two rounds quickly 11-7 and 11-9. However, from the third quarter onwards, with the courage of the world number one tennis player, Shidong gradually regained control of the game.
The Chinese representative increased the ball's deep-spin and counter-attack along the sidelines, causing Harimoto to be pushed back from the table, losing three consecutive times with a close score of 10-12, 9-11, 7 11.
In the format from the quarter-finals onwards, players must win four rounds instead of three as in the outside round. Harimoto entered the sixth half with a new spirit, adjusted his tempo and started playing a quick change direction, cutting the ball back, making Lin difficult.
As a result, in the last two rounds, Harimoto won overwhelmingly 11-5 and 11-6, ending the match after more than an hour and a half of competition.
This victory is even more valuable as it is the fifth time in six encounters that Harimoto has defeated Lin Shidong - who has defeated a series of Chinese heads of state to climb to the world number one. Notably, Lin's last two defeats to Harimoto both came in the knockout rounds of major tournaments.
Harimoto will face Wang Chuqin - the world's number two tennis player in the final match taking place at 09:00 on July 14 (Vietnam time).
Although he lost 11 of the 13 meetings with Wang Chuqin, his form and bravery in the recent semi-final are giving the Japanese tennis player hope to continue his miracle at US Smash.
