WASHINGTON, July 12 (Xinhua) -- China's world champion Wang Chuqin edged out France's Felix Lebrun in full sets while world top-ranked Chinese Lin Shidong fell to Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto in the men's singles semifinals of the WTT US Smash in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Wang, world No. 2, cashed in on his experience and determination at clutch moments to outlast the sixth-seeded Frenchman 11-9, 5-11, 11-6, 7-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9.

"This is the closest match that I have ever played against Felix," said Wang. "We haven't met for a year, and he has raised his game to a new level. He is now able to beat any top players in the world. I feel lucky to emerge as a winner. As a matter of fact, there is no loser in this game."

Harimoto, widely tipped as a top threat to Chinese men, started well, stumbled mid-game and fought back in the end, winning over the 20-year-old Chinese 11-7, 11-9, 10-12, 9-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-6.

Lin has faltered in big events despite the top ranking, losing his World Cup game to eventual winner Hugo Calderano of Brazil and falling to teammate Liang Jinkun in the Doha World Championships.

Chen Yi of China hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Kuai Man of China at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 12, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

In the women's singles action, Chinese Chen Yi continued her giant-killing spree, defeating more favored teammate Kuai Man to reach her first Smash final.

The unseeded 20-year-old from the southeastern province of Zhejiang, who had eliminated China's world No. 1 and world champion Sun Yingsha and Japan's ninth seed Hina Hayata, overcame fifth-seeded Kuai 4-3 (6-11, 11-3, 3-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-1, 11-9) to set up a title clash against former Chinese national team star Zhu Yuling.

"Kuai Man and I know each other very well," said Chen. "We both know whoever is more determined and decisive would win this game."

Kuai made up for her loss by winning the women's doubles gold with Wang Yidi. They beat more fancied teammates Sun Yingsha/Wang Manyu over 46 minutes.

Zhu, a former World Cup winner who now plays for Macao, China, swept seventh-seeded Japanese Mima Ito 4-2 (11-6, 11-9, 6-11, 4-11, 11-6, 11-8) in the other semifinal.

The 30-year-old Zhu previously stepped away from China's national team to recover from cancer, pursue her studies, and later become a professor at Tianjin University. She joined the Macao team last year.

Earlier in the day, South Korea's An Jae-hyun/Lim Jong-hoon beat France's Alexis Lebrun/Felix Lebrun 3-1 to win the men's doubles title. ■

Zhu Yuling of China's Macao hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Ito Mima of Japan at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 12, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Kuai Man of China hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Chen Yi of China at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 12, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Zhu Yuling (R) of China's Macao hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Ito Mima of Japan at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 12, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Chen Yi (R) of China celebrates a score during the women's singles semifinal match against Kuai Man of China at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 12, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Kuai Man (R) of China hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Chen Yi of China at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 12, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Chen Yi (R) of China hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Kuai Man of China at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 12, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Chen Yi of China serves during the women's singles semifinal match against Kuai Man of China at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 12, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)

Kuai Man of China hits a return during the women's singles semifinal match against Chen Yi of China at the WTT United States Smash 2025 in Las Vegas, the United States, July 12, 2025. (Photo by Qiu Chen/Xinhua)