Team China's Ma Long beat longstanding rival Chuang Chih-Yuan of Chinese Taipei 3-1 on Tuesday at the 2023 WTT Champions Frankfurt in their 17th encounter.

Two-time Olympic champion Ma led the head-to-head record 14-2 against Chuang and extended the overwhelming advantage a victory of 11-4, 11-4, 8-11, 13-11 to reach the round of 16. Ma, however, was given a yellow card for delaying during the third game before he grabbed the match point to seal the victory.

"It was six years ago when we played last time. As a 42-year-old veteran, Chuang has always been in good shape and hungry for the win," said 35-year-old Ma. "I was doing great in the first two games today, but failed to collect the points from some good chances during the third. I was not feeling good about it. Fortunately, I won the key points in the fourth," he added.

In the women's singles draw, China's Wang Yidi recovered from the first game loss to eliminate European champion Sofia Polcanova from Austria 8-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7 as she sets up her next match with Manika Batra of India. The two had competed in a close fight at the Hangzhou Asian Games when Wang gained the upper hand 8-11, 12-10, 6-11, 4-11, 14-12, 5-11. 

(With input from Xinhua)

(Cover: A profile photo of Ma Long. /CFP)