Chinese athletes demonstrated strong performances at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender in Taiyuan, with multiple home favorites advancing in singles and doubles events. Local fans cheered as rising star Xiang Peng staged a comeback after losing his first game to Singapore\u2019s Pang Koen, securing victory with three consecutive wins to set up a last-16 clash against Sweden\u2019s Kristian Karlsson.
Fellow Chinese paddler Chen Yuanyu faced a nail-biting five-game showdown against Japan\u2019s Maharu Yoshimura. After squandering a two-game lead, Chen regained focus in the decider, later crediting his strategic serves for securing the win. \u201cA strong start helped me control the rhythm,\u201d he remarked. Chen now meets compatriot Wen Ruibo in the next round.
On the women\u2019s side, top-seeded Qian Tianyi dominated Japan\u2019s Asuka Sasao in straight games, while Zong Geman edged Japan\u2019s Anne Uesawa in a tense five-game battle. In mixed doubles, Xiang Peng and Liu Weishan rallied after losing their opening game to eliminate the American duo of Kai Zhang and Zhen Deng, setting up a quarterfinal clash against top-seeded Chinese pair Xue Fei and Qian.
The event highlights China\u2019s depth in table tennis talent, with thrilling all-Chinese matchups emerging in later stages. Fans worldwide can expect high-stakes action as players vie for titles in the Shanxi Province-hosted tournament.
