Sun Yingsha moves one step closer to defending title at WTT Singapore Smash

World No. 1 and top seed Sun Yingsha defeated 14th-seeded compatriot Shi Xunyao in four games 11-2, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6 in an all-Chinese women's singles round of 16 showdown at the WTT (World Table Tennis) Singapore Smash on Friday, advancing to the quarterfinals.

"I actually know Shi quite well," defending champion Sun said after the match. "Looking at her recent form and results, I think she has been relatively consistent and always had great ability. Her quality on both sides, as well as her counterattacks, are really strong."

After praising her opponent, Sun discussed her approach to the contest.

"I got into my rhythm quickly in the first game," she noted. "I had some issues at the start of the second, but in the next two games, I kept reminding myself to fight for every point. And I managed to pull off the win."

Sun's next opponent will be Japan's Hina Hayata, who edged China's fifth-seeded Kuai Man 11-7, 12-10, 4-11, 7-11, 13-11.

Other results in the draw included Chen Yi cruising past Honoka Hashimoto in straight games, setting up a clash with third-seeded Chinese compatriot Chen Xingtong in the last eight.

On the men's side, rising star Chen Yuanyu battled from behind to upset Brazilian second seed Hugo Calderano 6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-9 to reach the quarterfinals. The 20-year-old will go up against Swedish fifth seeded Truls Moregard next.

In men's doubles action, Chinese pair Lin Shidong and Huang Youzheng dropped French wildcard duo Esteban Dorr and Florian Bourras 3-0 to advance to the final. They will compete against two more paddlers from France, the brother team of Alexis and Felix Lebrun, for the championship.

Calderano joined forces with compatriot Bruna Takahashi to defeat the Republic of Korea's Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin 11-7, 11-6, 13-11 in the mixed doubles final.