Shi Xunyao: the Chinese shakehand attacker who climbed to world No. 11
Shi Xunyao is a Chinese player born in 2001, a shakehand attacker. She won the singles at WTT Contender Muscat, beating Kuai Man in the final, and reached No. 11 in the world ranking in 2025. In October 2026 she is world No. 15.
In this article
Shi Xunyao belongs to China's new generation and is a regular in the world top 15. This page covers what is known about Shi Xunyao's career, titles and style.
Who is Shi Xunyao
Shi Xunyao was born on 16 July 2001 and plays for China. She uses the shakehand grip and, according to the TableTennis Reference site, is an attacking player ("shake attack") who uses a Viscaria blade.
Shi Xunyao's titles
| Competition | Results |
|---|---|
| World Junior Championships | Reached the final in 2018 |
| WTT | Singles champion at Contender Muscat |
| Ranking | Career high: No. 11, in 2025 |
From juniors to the WTT circuit
Shi caught attention as a junior, reaching a final at the 2018 World Junior Championships. On the senior circuit she won the women's singles at WTT Contender Muscat, beating Kuai Man 4-0 in the final. At the same event she was also a mixed doubles finalist, alongside Huang Youzheng.
The ranking in 2026
In 2026, Shi lost to world No. 1 Sun Yingsha at the Singapore Smash. In October 2026 she is world No. 15 in singles, No. 43 in doubles and No. 63 in mixed doubles. See the table tennis world ranking.
Playing style
Shi is an attacking player with the shakehand grip, the most common among the world's best. To learn about other profiles, see playing styles.
Recent results on the tour
| Year | Wins | Losses |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 8 | 9 |
| Total | 8 | 9 |
| L | China Smash 2026 2026-10-08 | Women's singles Round of 16 | Wang Manyu CHN vs Shi Xunyao CHN 3-2 8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 14-16, 11-7 |
| L | China Smash 2026 2026-10-07 | Women's doubles Round of 16 | Anna Hursey / Shi Xunyao WAL/CHN vs Chen Yi / Li Yihui CHN 0-3 10-12, 5-11, 9-11 |
| W | China Smash 2026 2026-10-06 | Women's singles Round of 32 | Natalia Bajor POL vs Shi Xunyao CHN 0-3 11-13, 7-11, 9-11 |
| W | China Smash 2026 2026-10-04 | Women's singles Round of 64 | Yang Ha Eun KOR vs Shi Xunyao CHN 0-3 4-11, 5-11, 3-11 |
| L | China Smash 2026 2026-10-04 | Mixed doubles Round of 32 | Jishan Liang / Sally Moyland USA vs Bosman Botha / Shi Xunyao USA/CHN 3-0 11-5, 11-9, 11-4 |
| L | WTT Star Contender Astana 2026 - President’s Cup 2026-09-18 | Women's singles Round of 32 | Shi Xunyao CHN vs Ece Harac TUR 1-3 11-9, 8-11, 9-11, 8-11 |
| L | WTT Star Contender Astana 2026 - President’s Cup 2026-09-17 | Women's doubles Round of 16 | Hirano Miu / Kihara Miyuu JPN vs Wang Xiaotong / Shi Xunyao CHN 3-0 11-4, 11-9, 13-11 |
| L | Europe Smash - Sweden 2026 2026-08-15 | Women's singles Quarterfinals | Wang Yidi CHN vs Shi Xunyao CHN 4-0 11-5, 11-9, 11-7, 11-9 |
Source: WTT official results. Updated October 31, 2026. worldtabletennis.com
Frequently asked questions
Who is Shi Xunyao?
She is a Chinese player born in 2001, a shakehand attacker, and a top-15 player in 2026.
What is Shi Xunyao's highest ranking?
No. 11, in 2025. In October 2026 she is No. 15.
Has Shi Xunyao won a WTT title?
Yes, the singles at WTT Contender Muscat, beating Kuai Man in the final.
What grip does Shi Xunyao use?
The shakehand grip.