China's table tennis star Sun Yingsha showcased resilience and skill in a gripping five-game match against Australia's Yangzi Liu at the WTT US Smash in Las Vegas on Sunday. The World No. 1 advanced to the women's singles round of 32 after a hard-fought 3-2 victory, setting up a clash with Egypt's Hana Goda.
Sun, known for her tactical precision, faced unexpected resistance from World No. 33 Liu. The opener saw Sun surge ahead 4-0 before Liu narrowed the gap to 8-7. Sun secured the game 11-7 with three consecutive points, but Liu retaliated in the second game with aggressive play, capitalizing on Sun's errors to win 11-6.
Regaining momentum, Sun dominated the third game 11-4, only for Liu to force a decider by claiming the fourth game 11-4. The final game saw intense rallies, with Sun clinching victory 11-4 after a strategic timeout disrupted Liu's rhythm.
The match highlighted Sun's adaptability under pressure, a trait that has solidified her position atop global rankings. Her next opponent, 15-year-old Hana Goda, represents a rising generation of players challenging established stars.
