The Stage 2 phase concluded in Chengdu with China, Japan, Germany and Korea Republic securing their places in the semifinals. The final round delivered high drama across the tables, with Korea ending Croatia’s breakthrough run, China finishing unbeaten, and Germany edging a thriller to confirm their spot among the last four.
Germany clinched a Stage 3 berth with an 8–5 win over Hong Kong, China. Dang QIU and Annette KAUFMANN opened with a solid Mixed Doubles victory, followed by a composed win from WINTER over Doo Hoi Kem.
Hong Kong rallied through Chun Ting WONG, who stunned Benedikt DUDA in Men’s Singles, but Germany immediately restored control when QIU and DUDA defeated the World No. 1 pair in Men’s Doubles. WINTER and KAUFMANN closed out the match in Women’s Doubles to complete a confident German performance.
Croatia’s remarkable campaign came to a close despite another spirited display.
Ivor BAN and Hana ARAPOVIĆ squeezed out a point in Mixed Doubles, while Lea RAKOVAC and Tomislav PUCAR claimed strong singles wins to bring Croatia level at 5–5.
From there, Korea took full control: KIM anf CHOI swept the Women’s Doubles, before OH and PARK secured the decisive Men’s Doubles point, sealing Korea’s progression to the semifinals.
Already assured of qualification, China rotated their squad but still proved too strong.
World No. 1 pair Man KUAI and Shidong LIN opened with a straight-games win, while Yidi WANG recovered from a slow start to edge Linda BERGSTRÖM.
Sweden hit back through a dominant display from Anton KALLBERG, but China closed the match efficiently in the Women’s Doubles, with Man KUAI and Manyu WANG sealing their unbeaten Stage 2 campaign.
France produced the upset of the tournament, overturning a 1–5 deficit to defeat second seeds Japan 8–7.
Japan dominated early, with Mima ITO and Hiroto SHINOZUKA sweeping the Mixed Doubles and Satsuki ODO edging Prithika PAVADE, putting France in deep trouble.
Then came the turnaround. Felix LEBRUN launched the comeback with a spectacular 3–0 win over Tomokazu HARIMOTO, before joining brother Alexis to sweep the Men’s Doubles and push France ahead 7–5.
Japan forced a decider through Women’s Doubles, but Jia Nan YUAN and PAVADE held firm in the final game, completing a stunning French victory.
