Kou Lei and Yixiao Wang Crowned Singles Champions at San Diego Open
by San Diego TTA / Los Angeles TTA
Singles: Lauren (Yixiao) Wang, left, takes first place against Ding Zige, right, in open women's singles at the 2024 Paddle Palace San Diego Open. Balboa Park Activity Center, San Diego, Calif., Aug. 31 - Sept. 1, 2024.
The 4-star USATT Sanctioned San Diego Open concluded in spectacular fashion at the Balboa Park Activity Center, with $12,000 in cash prizes up for grabs. Held from August 31 to September 1, the event saw fierce competition from top U.S. players. In the men’s singles, Kou Lei from Kou Lei TTC secured the championship, while Yixiao Wang from Table Tennis America (TTA) dominated the women’s singles to claim the title.
Kou Lei breezed through the men’s singles, remaining undefeated throughout the group stage and knockout rounds. His commanding performances left his opponents with little opportunity to challenge him, as the gap in skill levels was evident. Zhang Xiangjing, another strong contender who topped his group, also made it to the second round but fell short against Kou Lei in the final, losing 4-0.
In the women’s singles, Yixiao Wang’s path to victory was equally impressive. She advanced through the group stage with a flawless 3-0 record, not dropping a single set. In the round of 16, she easily dispatched Mexico’s Jessica Cuellar with a 3-0 win. Reflecting on the match, Wang noted, “The skill difference made it easier to stay in control.”
Wang then faced New York's Wang Shang in the quarterfinals, an opponent she had beaten in previous matches. With confidence in her strategy, she delivered another dominant 3-0 performance to advance to the final.
In the championship match, Wang faced a tougher challenge from China’s Ding Zige, who had a slightly higher rating. After a tightly contested first set, Wang narrowly lost 9-11. “I made a few errors and mishandled some key points,” she said. Undeterred, Wang refocused and leaned into her strengths. “I reminded myself to stay confident and not give up.” Her resilience paid off as she won the next three sets, securing a 3-1 victory and the women’s title.
The victories of Kou Lei and Yixiao Wang at the San Diego Open not only showcase their exceptional skill but also underscore their potential as rising stars in the sport, hinting at more success to come.