Lin Shidong, Kuai Man and Wang Yidi Shine in Doha Opener

Lin Shidong set the tone on day one of WTT Champions Doha, advancing quickly with a straight-games win in the opening round. The top seed’s efficient performance was one of several clear victories for higher-ranked players, as Kuai Man and Wang Yidi both progressed in straight games, leaving little doubt about their early form.

The draw was altered before the first ball was hit when world No.1s Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha withdrew from the event. Their absence removed two of the most anticipated names from the bracket and opened pathways for other contenders to make deeper runs, a factor that reshaped expectations for later rounds and intensified interest in the remaining seedings.

Day-one play also produced notable results beyond the Chinese contingent. Japan’s Miyu Nagasaki defeated Mima Ito in straight games, a high-profile win that signals strong early form for Nagasaki against top competition. In another upset, Jang Woo-jin advanced at the expense of Alexis Lebrun, a result that adds intrigue to the middle of the draw and raises questions about potential matchups as the tournament advances.

Following the opening matches, seeded players scheduled to play in the following rounds included Lin Shidong, Kuai Man and Wang Yidi, each positioned to benefit from the altered field. Those advances set up a slate of early-round encounters that could include cross-national clashes and unexpected trajectories for lower-seeded opponents who take advantage of the vacancy left by withdrawn favorites.

For fans tracking early form, day one offered concrete takeaways: Lin, Kuai and Wang arrived ready and efficient; Miyu Nagasaki and Jang Woo-jin produced momentum-boosting wins; and the withdrawals of Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha created a more open bracket. These developments matter for ticketed spectators, broadcasters and community clubs following player progress, because the reshaped draw affects likely pairings and potential headline matches later in the week.

Play continues through the knockout rounds, and the immediate task for followers is simple: watch how the advancing seeds handle tougher opponents now that the field has shifted, and note which unseeded or lower-seeded players capitalize on the opportunity. Early form at Doha often foreshadows the rhythm players will carry into the rest of the season, making these opening results worth close attention.