Fan Zhendong’s 13-match winning streak in the Singapore Smash Men’s Singles crumbled against a rising star. 18-year-old Lin Shidong defeated the World No. 1 in a dominant 3-1 (11-6, 11-2, 9-11, 11-6) victory.

This wasn’t Lin’s first encounter with a legend at this stage of the tournament. Last year, he fell to Ma Long. This time, however, Lin remained calm and focused, leaving Fan outmatched.

“I was well-prepared and played exceptionally well,” Lin said, highlighting some “unbelievable” moments during the match.

Lin Shidong looked unstoppable

From the start, Lin showcased his dominance. Despite being the underdog, he displayed aggressive tactics. He shut down Fan’s service game, including a particularly effective “chiquita” serve. This left Fan struggling to gain momentum, only managing a 42% win rate on his serves.

While Fan narrowly won the third game, Lin maintained control in the fourth, sealing the victory with a powerful forehand.

This wasn’t entirely unexpected. Lin had previously defeated Fan (albeit due to an injury retirement) at the WTT Star Contender Doha earlier this year. Today, there were no doubts: Lin had conquered the champion.

Fan Zhendong was left stunned by Lin Shidongs performance

Fan’s exit means a significant drop in ranking points, potentially leading to a new World No. 1 by next week, with Wang Chuqin the frontrunner.

Meanwhile, Lin’s journey continues. He faces the winner of Timo Boll and Anton Kallberg in the round of 16.

Find the full results and schedule, here: Singapore Smash

Watch all of Day 4’s action LIVE, here: Singapore Smash 2024 – Day 4 – Asian Sports Network