Shin Yubin beats Hina Hayata to break nine-match losing streak

South Korean table tennis player Shin Yubin defeated Japan’s Hina Hayata 3–2 (10-12, 13-11, 12-10, 6-11, 11-9) in the women’s singles round of 16 at the 2026 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash at Shougang Park in Beijing, overcoming a career head-to-head losing streak against the world No. 6, sportschosun.com reported.

Breaking the Nine-Match Losing Streak Against Hayata

Entering the match on Oct. 8, Shin had faced Hayata nine times and lost every encounter. Their previous meetings included the bronze medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where Hayata secured the podium finish. This time, after dropping the opening game 10-12, Shin won the next two tightly contested games 13-11 and 12-10, both reaching deuce.

After Hayata claimed the fourth game 11-6, the deciding fifth game tested both players’ endurance. Shin established a lead before closing out the final game 11-9 to secure her first career victory over the Japanese opponent, prompting emotional tears on the arena floor.

Turning Point Following the 2026 Asian Games Setback

The breakthrough arrives shortly after Shin endured a difficult campaign at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games earlier in the month. Expectations ran high following her success at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, where she partnered with Jeon Jihee to win a women’s doubles gold medal for the first time in 21 years.

However, the Nagoya tournament yielded bronze medals in the women’s team and mixed doubles events after both squads fell short of the finals. Shin’s individual aspirations also ended early when she was eliminated in the quarterfinals of both the women’s singles and women’s doubles competitions.

Hayata Misses Final Return After Saving Match Points

Japanese broadcaster NTV detailed the tense closing moments of the fifth game, noting that Hayata fought back from a 6-10 deficit to save three consecutive match points before missing a final return that sealed the match.