Chen Meng (R) of China hits a return against Ishikawa Kasumi of Japan during the WTT Champions event in Xinxiang, China, April 11, 2023. /CFP
Chinese paddlers Chen Meng and Wang Manyu reached the quarterfinals, while Ma Long crashed out of the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Xinxiang on Tuesday.
The ongoing WTT Champions event is being held from April 9 to 15 in Xinxiang, central China's Henan Province. It will be followed by WTT Champions Macao next week.
Olympic champion Chen pulled off a straight-game victory over Kasumi Ishikawa of Japan to advance to the women's singles quarterfinals.
Chen displayed her dominance in an 11-7, 11-6, 11-6 victory over Ishikawa in 32 minutes.
"I just tried to focus on the game and discover my form. I was fully concentrated today and enjoyed the feeling of playing on the court," Chen said.
Chen will face another Japanese paddler Hina Hayata in the quarterfinal. Hayata also breezed past Nina Mittelham of Germany in straight games.
"I need to make full preparation for the difficulties in every match. Hayata is a strong opponent and has some quality hits, so I need to quickly get into the game," Chen added.
Wang Manyu of China competes during the women's round of 16 match with Bruna Takahashi of Brazil (not pictured) during the WTT Champions event in Xinxiang, China, April 11, 2023. /CFP
Wang Manyu eased past Bruna Takahashi of Brazil 11-3, 11-3, 11-8.
"Winning an intense match in the previous round helped a lot in getting into shape and keeping my concentration today, and I adjusted well at the start of the game," said Wang, who had won a nail-biter over Dina Meshref of Egypt in full games in the first round.
Ma Long (L) of China and Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei in action during their round of 16 match at the WTT Champions event in Xinxiang, China, April 11, 2023. /CFP
China's legend Ma Long crashed out of the event after falling 3-1 to Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei.
After losing 11-5, 11-9 in the opening two games, Ma made his response by pulling one game back 11-6 and recovering from a 5-9 deficit with five points in a row to take one game point in the fourth, but Lin then steadied himself and pocketed three straight points to come through 12-10.
"It was my best match for a period of time. Facing such a strong opponent like Ma, I just wanted to challenge him," Lin said.
(With input from Xinhua)