Wang Manyu of China competes in the women's singles match against Zhu Yuling of China's Macao at the World Table Tennis Champions Macao in China's Macao Special Administrative Region, September 11, 2024. /CFP
Chinese paddlers, Sun Yingsha, Wang Manyu, Liang Jingkun, Lin Shidong and Xu Yingbin beat their opponents at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Macao in China's Macao Special Administrative Region on Wednesday, continuing to advance through the tournament.
Wang Manyu swept aside local player Zhu Yuling 11-5, 11-4, 11-6 in the women's singles round of 16 match. It has been four years since Zhu competed as a player and Wang said she was happy for the 29-year-old to return to the table.
"Today's match is bigger than the result," Wang Manyu told reporters. "I don't think it's easy for Zhu Yuling to come back to play. I'm happy to play with her in the match again."
Sun beat Kim Na-yeong of South Korea 11-9, 11-6, 11-7 to reach the quarterfinals.
Liang Jingkun of China competes in the men's singles match against Simon Gauzy of France at the World Table Tennis Champions Macao in China's Macao Special Administrative Region, September 11, 2024. /CFP
On the men's side, Liang knocked out Simon Gauzy of France 3-2 in the close contest on the round of 16 stage. Liang claimed the first two games 11-6, 12-10, but allowed the following two 8-11, 10-12. He trailed 2-7 in the decisive fifth game, but managed to come back and secure the final victory.
Lin beat Benedikt of Germany 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 to advance to the last 16 where he will face Tomokazu Harimoto of Japan. Xu survived the five-game tough battle against Chuang Chih-yuan of Chinese Taipei. Twenty-three-year-old Xu defeated 43-year-old Chuang 11-8, 8-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-7.
Xu's opponent in the round of 16 will be world No. 1 Wang Chuqin.