WTT China Smash: World No. 1 Sun into quarters, 4th seeded Lebrun out
World No. 1 Sun Yingsha breezed past fellow Chinese Liu Weishan to advance to the women's last eight, while wildcard player Xiang Peng stunned French prodigy Felix Lebrun in the men's event of the WTT China Smash.
BEIJING, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- Top-ranked Sun Yingsha of China beat her teammate Liu Weishan in four games to reach the quarterfinals, while Chinese wildcard paddler Xiang Peng stunned the fourth-seeded Felix Lebrun of France in the men's singles round of 16 at the World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash on Thursday.
23-year-old Sun defeated qualifier Liu 11-4, 11-5, 4-11, 11-2. "I lost some concentration in the third game, and Liu made a number of high-quality returns. Then I adjusted quickly for the victory," Sun said after the match.
In the quarterfinals, Sun will face Japan's Mima Ito, who edged Kim Na-yeong of South Korea 11-7, 6-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-9.
Also on Thursday, Sun paired up with Wang Yidi to beat Australia's Liu Yangzi and Doo Hoi Kem of Hong Kong, China with three straight 11-5 wins to cruise into the women's doubles semifinals. "Doo and I know each other very well. Showing our best on the court is the greatest manifestation of our friendship," Wang noted.
21-year-old Xiang created the biggest surprise of the day by upsetting Lebrun 11-9, 10-12, 11-9, 12-10, and he will encounter another big challenge in the quarterfinals against Sweden's Olympic runner-up Truls Moregard.
"Lebrun has been in good form recently, and I just tried to make more troubles for him. Confronting Moregard next, I will have the same mindset as today and fight for each point," said Xiang.
Another men's singles quarterfinal will see Chinese veteran Ma Long take on second seed Hugo Calderano of Brazil.
"There are no easy games, including the matches with South Korean Lee Sang-su today and Calderano tomorrow. It has already exceeded my expectations to reach the quarterfinals, and I will enjoy the following games here in Beijing," remarked the 35-year-old Chinese table tennis icon.
Chinese favorites Wang Chuqin and Liang Jingkun clinched an 11-5, 11-2, 8-11, 11-7 victory over Indian duo Manush Utpalbhai Shah and Manav Vikash Thakkar to secure a men's doubles semifinal berth.
On Friday, the first title of the WTT China Smash will be decided in an all-Chinese mixed doubles final. ■
