Lin Shidong solidified his position as one of the most formidable players on the WTT circuit, capturing his fifth Men’s Singles title in the last six WTT Series events with a decisive 4-1 victory over Anton Kallberg at the 2024 WTT Champions Frankfurt. The match, which ended with scores of 11-5, 11-7, 11-9, 8-11, and 11-8, showcased Lin’s exceptional skill and consistency throughout the tournament.
The rematch of their intense face-off at 2024 China Smash saw both players entering with heightened confidence. Lin, in particular, had been in stellar form, having won 23 of his last 24 singles matches over the past two months. As the No. 2 seed, he displayed sheer dominance from the start, swiftly securing the first game and building momentum that proved challenging for Kallberg to counter.
Kallberg, however, did not go down without a fight. In the fourth game, the Swedish player demonstrated the resilience and skill that had brought him to the final. Although he managed to claim one game, Lin ultimately delivered the decisive blow in the fifth, ending Kallberg’s dreams of a first WTT Champions title.
Reflecting on his victory, Lin shared, “I didn’t expect to win 4-1 today . I am very happy to win the title. I was well prepared for today’s match and mobilized myself quickly in the beginning. Anton changed as well while trailing 0-3. From the third game on, it became tough for me. Perhaps I was thinking too much in the fourth game, and I played in a complicated manner and always wanted to control. Later when I calmed myself down, it got much better. Winning each title has given me a lot of confidence as well as experience.”
His success in Frankfurt builds on a remarkable year, with previous title wins at the WTT Contender Almaty, WTT Champions Macao, China Smash, and WTT Contender Muscat in 2024.
Despite the loss, Kallberg’s journey to the final was a testament to his talent and determination, earning him a spot among the elite ranks of WTT Champions finalists. He returns home proud of his achievements, leaving fans and analysts alike eager to see what’s next for both players.