Wen Ruibo / Yuan Lican Defeat Lin Shidong / Huang Youzheng to Claim WTT US Smash Men’s Doubles Title
LAPost / Ontario, California (Reporter Richard Ren) — July 4, 2026 — The men’s doubles final of the 2026 WTT US Smash concluded on the evening of July 4 at the Ontario Convention Center in California. The Chinese pair Wen Ruibo / Yuan Lican defeated their teammates Lin Shidong / Huang Youzheng by 3–1 to capture the men’s doubles championship, while Lin and Huang finished as runners-up. China also secured a clean sweep of both gold and silver in the men’s doubles event, adding another title to its table tennis dominance.
Wen Ruibo and Yuan Licen (Photo by Richard Ren/LAPost)
The final was an all-Chinese showdown between two young and rising pairs. From the opening game, both teams settled quickly into rhythm, engaging in intense rallies centered on third-ball attacks and mid-table exchanges. Wen Ruibo / Yuan Lican gained the early advantage with more stable service reception and sharper execution in key points, taking the first game. In the second game, Lin Shidong / Huang Youzheng adjusted their tempo, increasing aggression in the opening exchanges and applying stronger backhand pressure to level the match.
(Photo by Richard Ren/LAPost)
The third game proved to be the turning point of the match. The score remained tight throughout, with multiple deuce situations. Wen Ruibo / Yuan Lican demonstrated greater composure and more mature coordination in crucial moments, edging out the game narrowly to regain the lead. In the fourth game, they fully seized momentum, using consistent high-quality serves and rapid follow-up attacks to gradually widen the gap before sealing the victory. They ultimately won 3–1 to secure the title.
(Photo by Richard Ren/LAPost)
This marks the first WTT US Smash men’s doubles title for the partnership of Wen Ruibo and Yuan Lican, achieved after a series of strong performances against top international opponents. In the semifinals, they defeated the Chinese Taipei duo Lin Yun-Ju / Kao Cheng-Jui in straight games, while Lin Shidong / Huang Youzheng also advanced to the final with a 3–0 win over teammates Lin Gaoyuan / Feng Yaoen, ensuring an all-Chinese final and an early lock on the gold medal for China.
(Photo by Richard Ren/LAPost)
In post-match interviews, champions Wen Ruibo and Yuan Lican said the tournament had been a challenging journey, with each match requiring continuous adjustment and improvement in their partnership. Facing familiar national teammates in the final, they noted that the match was decided less by surprise tactics and more by execution under pressure, key-point decision-making, and mental stability. Winning the title at a top-tier WTT Grand Smash event, they added, represents an important boost to their confidence.
Throughout the tournament, China’s men’s doubles teams delivered a dominant overall performance, with multiple pairs advancing deep into the draw and occupying three of the four semifinal spots. The eventual all-Chinese final further highlighted the depth of talent and strong competitive structure within China’s men’s doubles program.
As the men’s doubles event concluded, the WTT US Smash continues into its final stages, with top players from around the world competing at the Ontario Convention Center, delivering world-class table tennis action for fans in attendance.
(Photo by Richard Ren/LAPost)
