Simon GAUZY continued his memorable run at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2025 in Doha, producing a determined and high-quality performance to defeat China’s LIN Gaoyuan 4-2 (2-11, 11-8, 13-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-3) and secure a place in the round of 16.
It had already been a dramatic day for the Frenchman, who saved two match points earlier against Denmark’s Anders LIND to stay in the competition. By the time the evening session arrived, Gauzy was fired up for another challenge—this time against an opponent he had never beaten in four previous encounters.
LIN opened the match with authority, racing through the first game, but GAUZY responded with sharp counterplay and bold shot-making to level the score. The third game proved pivotal: trailing 4-9 and facing two game points, GAUZY clawed his way back and edged it 13-11, shifting the momentum firmly in his favour.
Though LIN responded in the fifth, GAUZY stepped up again in the sixth game, dictating rallies and riding a wave of confidence to close out the match in style.
“That’s the second time I’ve beaten a top Chinese player in the World Championships, and I will never get tired of that,” Gauzy said afterward. “It will not get easier in the next round, but I’m really, really happy. I think I’m entertaining when I’m playing good. When I’m playing like that, I think it’s nice to watch me play. Lately it’s been the case, but it’s not always been the case. I know when I’m playing with that hard spirit and I land my crazy shots, I can disturb anyone. And that’s what I did today. I mean, I think he (Wang Chuqin) is the favourite to win the World Championships. That’s my take -but I hope he’ll lose quite early.”
With the win, GAUZY sets up a highly anticipated last-16 clash against 2023 World Championships silver medallist WANG Chuqin.
