Sidorenko’s Fairytale Run Continues Into Semifinals; Sets Up Clash With Moregard — WTT US Smash Men’s Singles Enters Boiling Point

LAPost / Ontario, California (Reporter: Richard Ren) — July 4, 2026 — The men’s singles draw at the WTT US Smash continues to deliver a compelling mix of upsets and high-level battles, as one of the tournament’s biggest breakout stories, Vladimir Sidorenko, surged once again into the semifinals with a hard-fought 4–1 (11–9, 11–9, 8–11, 11–9, 11–8) victory over Japan’s Hiroto Shinozuka.

Earlier in the tournament, Sidorenko stunned the field with a commanding 4–0 sweep of Japan’s top star Tomokazu Harimoto, producing one of the biggest upsets of the round. Against Shinozuka, who entered the match in strong form, Sidorenko once again demonstrated exceptional tactical discipline and mental composure, consistently winning the crucial points under pressure.

The match was tightly contested from the outset. Sidorenko edged both the opening and second games 11–9, capitalizing on late-game execution to seize early control. Shinozuka responded in the third game with increased aggression and tempo variation, taking it 11–8 to briefly shift momentum and inject suspense into the contest.

From the fourth game onward, however, Sidorenko elevated his receiving quality and improved his control in the opening exchanges. Showing greater patience in extended rallies and sharper decision-making in decisive moments, he reclaimed control with another 11–9 win. The fifth game turned into a tense back-and-forth battle, but Sidorenko pulled away after 8–8, closing it 11–8 to seal the match and his place in the semifinals.

In his post-match comments, Sidorenko emphasized composure and rhythm control as the decisive factors. He acknowledged that Shinozuka, who had earlier eliminated Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, entered the match with strong momentum. “He put a lot of pressure on me early,” Sidorenko said, “but I had to stick to my game plan and not let him dictate the pace.”

He also noted the physical and mental demands of consecutive high-intensity matches. “The deeper I go into the tournament, the more I feel I’m getting into my rhythm,” he added.

On the other side of the draw, Sweden’s Truls Moregard delivered one of the most dominant performances of the tournament, sweeping South Korea’s Jang Woojin 4–0 (11–4, 11–6, 11–5, 11–5) with complete control from start to finish.

Moregard dictated tempo throughout the match, using sharp transitions and precise placement to consistently disrupt Jang’s attacking rhythm. The Korean player never managed to establish a stable foothold, as Moregard’s aggressive yet controlled style left little room for counterplay. Though brief in duration, the match was widely seen as one of Moregard’s most complete performances of the tournament.

Earlier in the competition, Moregard had already ended the spirited run of U.S. hopeful Kanak Jha, and his latest victory further underscored his efficiency and composure, solidifying his status as a genuine title contender.

With the semifinal lineup now set, Sidorenko will face Moregard in a highly anticipated showdown. The matchup pits the tournament’s breakout “giant killer,” who has toppled multiple top seeds, against a clinically efficient and dominant performer who has barely been challenged en route to the final four.

As the WTT US Smash progresses, the men’s singles field is rapidly shifting from early-round shocks to elite-level confrontation at the highest stakes.