TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Li Yu-jhun (李昱諄) lost to world No. 3 Chen Xing-tong (陳幸同) in five games at the WTT China Grand Smash Thursday (Oct. 2). The 46-minute match ended 11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 9-11, 4-11, eliminating the 27-year-old from quarterfinal contention. Li's defeat marked another setback for Taiwan's table tennis campaign.
Li, ranked 68th globally, faced Chen for only the second time in her career after losing in straight sets at the 2014 Asian Junior Championships. The Taiwan player secured the opening game with a decisive 5-2 run following a 5-5 deadlock. Li's powerful forehand produced a commanding 6-1 run and temporary 2-1 series advantage.
Li's mounting errors in games four and five enabled Chen to regain momentum and secure the decisive fifth game. Chen's commanding five-point opening streak in the final game clinched her advancement to the quarterfinals. The defeat completed Taiwan's elimination from women's singles at the year's final Grand Smash event, with Chen Szu-yu (陳思羽) and Yeh Yi-tian (葉伊恬) also falling. ◼