Multiple Chinese paddlers progress at WTT Contender Taiyuan

Home favorite Xiang Peng defeated Singapore's Pang Koen in the men's singles first round at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender in Taiyuan, north China's Shanxi Province, on Thursday, despite losing the first game 11-6. Xiang came back to win three straight 11-7, 11-7, 11-9 to reach the last 16 where Sweden's Kristian Karlsson awaits.

Another home paddler also made it through with Chen Yuanyu surviving a five-game battle against Japan's Maharu Yoshimura. Chen claimed the first two 11-7, 11-8, but Yoshimura fought back and took the next two 12-10, 11-7. Nonetheless, Chen kept his composure in the decider and prevailed 11-5. In the last 16 he will face fellow Chinese Wen Ruibo.

"I was a little upset for the decider, but I had a good start with my serves," Chen said. "It was very helpful that I built a good lead from the beginning so I could extend it and won in the end."

On the women's side, top seed Qian Tianyi defeated Japan's Asuka Sasao in three straight games. The first was close but the Chinese scored two points in a row to claim it 13-11. Then she clinched the next two, both by scores of 11-8 for the win. She will face the Zhu Yuling of China's Hong Kong in the round of 16.

In other action, Zong Geman of China edged Anne Uesawa of Japan in five tough games. Zong lost the first 3-11, but clinched the next two 11-2, 11-9. Though her opponent took the fourth 11-9, China's Zong claimed the decider 11-9 to progress. Shi Xunyao awaits in another all-Chinese clash.

In the mixed doubles, Xiang joined forces with Liu Weishan to knock out the American pairing of Kai Zhang and Zhen Deng in four games. The Chinese duo conceded the first 13-11 but improved after and win the next three 11-3, 11-5, 14-12 to finish the contest. They will play top-seeded home pair Xue Fei and Qian in the quarterfinals.