China
2024.09.30 14:41 GMT+8

Six home players win in women's singles first round at WTT China Smash

Updated 2024.09.30 14:41 GMT+8
Sports Scene

Sun Yingsha of China competes in the women's singles match against Natalia Bajor of Poland at the World Table Tennis China Smash in Beijing, September 29, 2024. /CFP

Six Chinese players began their women's singles competitions at the World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash in Beijing on Sunday.

No. 1 seed Sun Yingsha swept Natalia Bajor of Poland 11-7, 11-1, 11-8 to advance. She will face her compatriot Kuai Man who knocked out Elizabeta Samara of Romania 11-7, 11-7, 13-11 in the first round.

"I hadn't played Bajor before, but I communicated with my coach a lot in my preparation for this match," Sun told reporters. "I think her touch and rhythm of playing are both good."

In a contest between two home players on Sunday, Liu Weishan defeated Qian Tianyi 11-9, 11-7, 10-12, 5-11, 14-12. Liu will face Chen Szu-Yu of Chinese Taipei next.

Fan Shiqi and Wang Yidi played another match between two Chinese paddlers on the first day of the tournament. Fan upset third-seeded Wang Yidi 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 7-11, 11-7.

Wang Xiaotong, who entered the China Smash as a qualifier like Fan, came back to beat Joo Cheo-hui of South Korea 7-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-2. Her next opponent will be No. 11 seed Sofia Polcanova of Austria.

Wildcard player He Zhuojia of China upset No. 5 seed Miwa Harimoto 11-9, 11-2, 11-2 in the first round. She revealed in the post-match interview that Sun gave her advice over how to play Harimoto.

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