<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2024-09-30/Six-home-players-win-in-women-s-singles-first-round-at-WTT-China-Smash-1xjmwkIbA3e/img/426d4a26c9b04388834e7b88e902531c/426d4a26c9b04388834e7b88e902531c.jpeg' alt='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.
