World No. 1 Sun Yingsha moved closer to defending her WTT Singapore Smash crown with a decisive 3-1 victory over compatriot Shi Xunyao in Friday's women's singles round of 16. The top-seeded Chinese star demonstrated tactical adaptability during the 11-2, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6 clash, setting up a quarterfinal showdown with Japan's Hina Hayata.
"I kept reminding myself to fight for every point," Sun told reporters after the match, acknowledging Shi's recent consistency and technical prowess. The defending champion's next challenge comes against Hayata, who survived a five-game thriller against China's Kuai Man.
Elsewhere in the tournament, 20-year-old Chen Yuanyu caused a major upset by defeating Brazilian second seed Hugo Calderano in men's singles. The rising Chinese star's 3-1 comeback victory (6-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-9) positions him against Sweden's Truls Moregard in the quarterfinals.
In doubles action, Chinese pair Lin Shidong and Huang Youzheng secured their place in the men's doubles final with a straight-games victory over French opponents. They'll face the Lebrun brothers from France for the championship.
The mixed doubles final saw Brazil's Calderano and Bruna Takahashi claim victory over the Republic of Korea's Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin in a tightly contested match.
