Ma Long leads Chinese paddlers into WTT Star Contender last 16
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, July 15, 2022
BUDAPEST, July 14 (Xinhua) -- Grand Slam winner Ma Long spearheaded Chinese paddlers into the last 16 at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Star Contender European Summer Series 2022 here on Thursday.
One day after their head-to-head in the men's doubles event, Ma came out winning again over the 15-year-old Felix Lebrun 3-1.
Ma offered compliments to his young French opponent. "He showed some characteristics through his strong forehand and long rallies. Although he is only 15 or 16 years old, he has strong capabilities," commented Ma.
No. 2 seed Liang Jingkun overcame Felix's elder brother Alexis with the same scoreline.
"He had some good serves and hits, which made me a little bit out of my rhythm today. Technically, I just tried to play top spins to keep myself in the rhythm," said Liang.
Lin Gaoyuan was dragged into full games before upsetting Qiu Dang representing Germany. Wang Chuqin saw off American paddler Kanak Jha to set up a round of 16 meeting with Brazilian ace Hugo Calderano, who got past Xiang Peng of China 3-1.
Other prominent names including Dimitrij Ovtcharov, Lin Yun-Ju, Darko Jorgic and Timo Boll also made it to the last 16. African champion Omar Assar staged a surprising 3-2 victory over world No. 7 Tomokazu Harimoto from Japan.
Women's singles top seed Chen Meng had to withdraw from the tournament due to an acute pyogenic infection in her right shoulder, which made her unable to lift her right arm.
Second seed Sun Yingsha swept Barbora Balazova of Slovakia. Wang Manyu outplayed Kim Hayeong from South Korea 3-1 and will next face teammate Fan Siqi. Wang Yidi outshone South Korean chopper Suh Hyowon 3-1. Another Chinese paddler Liu Weishan lost in straight games to Hina Hayata of Japan.
The women's singles round of 16 will also feature several Japanese paddlers, including Kasumi Ishikawa, Miyuu Kihara, Mima Ito and Miu Hirano.
Also on Thursday, Liang Jingkun/Lin Gaoyuan reached the men's doubles quarterfinals after eliminating host pair Tamas Lakatos/Csaba Andras 3-1.
Wang Chuqin/Wang Manyu beat Slovak duo Lubomir Pistej/Barbora Balazova to advance to Friday's mixed doubles semifinals.
The men's and women's singles round of 16 matches, women's singles quarterfinals, and men's and women's doubles quarterfinals are also scheduled on Friday. Enditem
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)