Fourth-seeded Chen Xingtong of China showcased her resilience at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Frankfurt on Wednesday, overcoming a shaky start to defeat Bernadette Szocs of Romania and secure her place in the women’s singles quarterfinals.
Chen faced an early setback as Szocs claimed the first game 11-6, capitalizing on Chen’s slow start. However, the Chinese athlete quickly regained her footing, launching into the second game with an impressive 4-1 lead and ultimately leveling the match at 1-1.
Building on her momentum, Chen’s dynamic offense proved too formidable for Szocs in the third game, which she dominated 11-3 to take a 2-1 lead. Despite a timeout called by Szocs’ coach when trailing 6-3 in the fourth game, Chen maintained her composure and clinched the match with a decisive 11-5 finish.
“I had a slow start but focused on adjusting my strategy after the first game,” Chen reflected after her victory. “I’m glad to have advanced, and I’m looking forward to the next match.”
Chen will face Satsuki Odo of Japan in the quarterfinals, setting the stage for an exciting showdown between two talented players.
In the men’s singles, top seed Wang Chuqin of China experienced a surprising exit after a straight-set defeat by Sweden’s Anton Kallberg, with scores of 11-8, 11-5, 11-6. This marks the second time Wang has lost a WTT match without securing a single game.
Wang has been struggling with form following his early elimination in the men’s singles at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in July. Over the past four months, he has lost six matches—the same number of defeats he suffered in the three years preceding the Olympics.
Kallberg advances to face Germany’s Ricardo Walther, a wildcard entrant, in the quarterfinals.
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Chen Xingtong reaches women's quarterfinals at WTT Champions Frankfurt
cgtn.com
