Singapore Smash 2026 is already delivering on its promise of high-stakes competition, with qualifying rounds producing several upsets as the tournament moves into its main draw phase on . The event, a WTT Grand Smash presented by Resorts World Sentosa, boasts a total prize pool of USD 1.55 million and features world No. 1s Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha as headliners.
One of the most notable results from the qualifying rounds was Chloe Lai’s dramatic comeback victory over No. 12 seed Su Tsz Tung. Lai, competing in front of a home crowd, rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2, a result that injected further excitement into an already electric atmosphere. The tournament runs from to , taking place at the Infinity ∞ Arena or The Kallang’s OCBC Arena.
The main draw will be divided into sessions, with Sessions 1 to 8 scheduled from to , and Sessions 9 to 16 running from to . Alongside the Grand Smash, the Singapore Youth Smash is also scheduled to take place from to .
Several local players have earned their place in the main draw through wildcards, including Josh Chua, Zeng Jian (World No. 33), Ser Lin Qian, Tan Zhao Yun, and Loy Ming Ying. Clarence Chew and Chloe Lai successfully navigated the qualification rounds to join them. Zeng Jian’s recent form has been particularly noteworthy, having secured wins over Mima Ito and Satsuki Odo in 2025, despite relinquishing her SEA Games women’s singles crown.
In men’s doubles, Koen Pang and Izaac Quek represent Singapore’s strongest hope. Currently ranked world No. 4, the pair has enjoyed success on the regional stage, claiming back-to-back gold medals at the 2023 and 2025 SEA Games, as well as a silver medal at the 2024 Asian Championships.
The qualifying rounds also saw Guo Guan Hong make a successful debut at the Singapore Smash, securing a win in his first-round qualifying match. Zhang You An and Jian Tongjuan also advanced through multiple qualifying rounds.
The tournament is a crucial stepping stone for players aiming to improve their rankings and secure favorable seeding for the upcoming Asian Games and Olympic Games. The presence of Wang Chuqin, the world No. 1 and winner of Singapore Smash 2024, adds significant weight to the men’s singles draw.
While no American players have progressed to the Men’s draw, Jinbao Ma reached the second round of qualifying before falling to Ovidiu Ionescu. Jishan Liang was eliminated in his first qualifying match.
Early action in the main draw, which began on (as reported previously), saw notable victories for Fan Zhendong, Lin Shidong, Anton Kallberg, Tomokazu Harimoto, Jonathan Groth, Benedikt Duda, Liang Jingkun, Ma Long, Patrick Franziska, Feng Yi-Hsin, Ionescu, Robles, Lin Yun-Ju, Mattias Falck, and Daniel Habesohn. Players still to compete include Timo Boll, Quadri Aruna, Felix Lebrun, Jang Woojin, Darko Jorgic, Lin Gaoyuan, Dang Qiu, Truls Moregard, and Wang Chuqin.
Looking ahead, Fan Zhendong is slated to face Lin Shidong in the Round of 32. Should the top seeds advance to the quarterfinals, potential matchups include Fan Zhendong versus Liang Jingkun, Ma Long against Lin Yun-Ju, Felix Lebrun versus Lin Gaoyuan, and Hugo Calderano versus Wang Chuqin.
The Singapore Smash continues to build momentum as a premier event on the World Table Tennis (WTT) calendar, attracting top talent and providing a platform for both established stars and emerging players to compete for ranking points and championship glory. The event’s combination of seasoned veterans and rising stars promises a compelling spectacle for fans both in Singapore and around the globe.
