World number one Wang Liqin and his female counterpart Zhang Yining have both bowed out unexpectedly at the ITTF Pro Tour Kuwait Open.

Wang Liqin and Zhang Yining, world number one paddlers in the men's and women's rankings, have become the surprising casualties at the ITTF Pro Tour Kuwait Open.

Wang Liqin, the reigning world champion lost to Chen Weixing of Austria after a gruelling seven-set fight which saw the two players exchanging the lead constantly. 

In the seventh and final games Wang Liqin led when the players changed ends at 5-3 but then Chen Weixing levelled and the reigning World champion never again gained the advantage.

In typical style, Chen Weixing defended, returning ball after ball with backspin, then when the chance arose he exploded his powerful forehand topspin, combining the two skills with the utmost efficiency.

Chen will now face another Chinese Chen Qi in the semi-finals while Ma Lin, one of China's top guns, will take on Li Jing of Chinese Hong Kong in another semi-final rubber.

Earlier, Zhang Yining, the reigning women's world and Olympic champion, fell unexpectedly during a quarter-final match against former teammate Jiang Huajun who now represents Chinese Hong Kong.

Jiang will meet China's Guo Yan in the semi-finals, while China's Guo Yue will take on Japan's Sayaka Hirano.

(CRI English February 24, 2006)