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Mike Chan

Sun Yingsha and Liang Jingkun were among China’s victorious players in the early rounds of table tennis’ Singapore Smash tournament on Monday.
World No 1 Sun dispatched Suh Hyo-won of South Korea 3-0 during the evening session at the Infinity Arena to reach the second round of the women’s singles.
In the men’s, world No 4 Liang beat Clarence Chew of Singapore by the same scoreline. Xiang Peng was unable to emulate Liang, as he was swept aside by Dimitrij Ovtcharov of Germany, but Xue Fei got through, defeating Lee Sang-su of South Korea 3-2.
Wong Chun-ting of Hong Kong bowed out, proving no match for China’s Lin Shidong in a convincing 3-0 loss.
His Hong Kong teammate Zhu Chengzhu fell at the first hurdle in the women’s section, losing 3-0 to French player Prithika Pavade.

Earlier, a trio of mainland Chinese players had to go to some length to secure their passage through.
Women’s world No 10 Qian Tianyi was pushed to the limit by Luxembourg’s Shanghai-born Ni Xialian. The 61-year-old Ni took a 2-1 lead before Qian, 36 years her junior, won 22 of the next 30 points to win the round-of-64 tie in five games.
“It was a tight and scary match,” Qian said. “The last time I played her [at the Saudi Smash last year], I also had to recover from two games down to win.
“I thought I prepared well for this tournament, but Ni’s rhythm and her spin gave me huge difficulties. I am glad I could still turn it around.”
Ni will have another shot at glory when she partners Luka Mladenovic in the mixed doubles on Tuesday, but they will have to get past the top seeds, China’s Lin and Kuai Man.
Also heading through for China after initial difficulty in the women’s singles were Wang Yidi, who beat South Korea’s Park Ga-hyeon 3-1, and He Zhuojia, who saw off Sreeja Akula of India 3-2.


Singapore Smash: Lin Shidong ends Hongkonger’s hopes, Sun Yingsha eases past South Korean

China’s Sun Yingsha, Wang Chuqin ask table tennis body ITTF for better deal for players

Chinese table tennis stars Ma Long, Chen Meng to miss World Cup but Fan Zhendong may play

Singapore Smash: Hong Kong table tennis veteran Wong, Lam through to main draw

ITTF (International Table Tennis Federation)

Lin Shidong, pictured playing in Macau in September, began strongly in Singapore. Photo: Xinhua

Sun Yingsha had little trouble as she overcame Suh Hyo-won. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese national team members in their meeting with the ITTF in Singapore. Photo: Handout

Reigning world champion Sun Yingsha said the competition calendar was “too packed”. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese association chief Liu Guoliang, who also holds ITTF and WTT posts. Photo: Handout

Paris gold medallist Chen Meng (left) and multiple Olympic and world champion Ma Long are set to miss out on the World Cup. Photo: Getty Images

Zhou Qihao was the only Chinese first-round loser at the Singapore Smash. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

China

Hong Kong

Other Sport

Qian Tianyi given a scare by 61-year-old Ni Xialian, while two of Hong Kong’s finest are knocked out


Qian Tianyi given a scare by 61-year-old Ni Xialian, while two of Hong Kong’s finest are knocked out.
