Wang survives scare in WTT Champions opener
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E-mail Xinhua, April 10, 2023
World No. 2 Wang Manyu of China came through a full-game thriller to beat Dina Meshref of Egypt as the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions got underway in Xinxiang, central China's Henan Province on Sunday.
In her first meeting against the 25th-ranked Meshref, Wang bounced from a loss in the opening game to lead 2-1, but was dragged into a decider by her opponent. Wang ultimately sealed a last-16 berth by winning the deciding game 11-8.
Recovering from a waist issue, Wang admitted that Meshref's performance was beyond her expectation and expressed dissatisfaction with her own play during the match.
"Recently, I have had little training, and I made many mistakes in the game, including the speed of the ball and my own reaction," said Wang.
"I can't describe how I'm feeling right now to be playing against the world No. 2. And to come up with that close result is really something - I'm not sure whether to be happy about it or sad that I lost so closely, but all in all, of course, I'm satisfied with my performance," commented Meshref.
Olympic champion Chen Meng, who was also trying to rediscover her favorable form, dispatched Jeon Ji-hee of South Korea 3-0.
"I haven't been so eager to play for a long time. The atmosphere when I entered the venue pushed me to win," explained Chen, adding that she would try her best in every match and focus on her next opponent.
Yang Xiaoxin of Monaco, Nina Mittelham of Germany, South Korean teenager Shin Yu-bin, Bernadette Szocs of Romania, and Brazil's Bruna Takahashi also made it to the women's last 16.
In the men's singles first round, home favorite Ma Long of China withstood the challenge of Sweden's Anton Kallberg to win in full games, while China's youngster Lin Shidong saw off Kristian Karlsson of Sweden in straight games.
Lim Jong-hoon of South Korea, Slovenian ace Darko Jorgic, Lin Yun-Ju of Chinese Taipei, Germany's Qiu Dang, and Tomokazu Harimoto of Japan also made it through to the men's second round.
The WTT tournament in Xinxiang runs until Saturday, with remaining first round matches to be held on Monday.
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