China’s World No. 1 table tennis star, Sun Yingsha, secured her spot in the women’s singles second round at the WTT US Smash in Las Vegas after a thrilling five-game victory over Australia’s Yangzi Liu on Sunday.
Facing the World No. 33, Sun was expected to dominate with her superior technique and experience. However, Liu proved to be a formidable opponent, pushing the match to a nail-biting finish.
In the opening game, Sun surged ahead with a 4-0 lead, but Liu fought back fiercely, narrowing the gap to 8-7. Unfazed, Sun clinched the game 11-7 with a trio of consecutive points.
The second game saw a resurgent Liu playing aggressively, capitalizing on Sun’s early errors to forge a 6-1 lead. Despite Sun’s attempts to close the gap, Liu maintained her momentum to take the game 11-6, leveling the match.
Sun regained control in the third game, dominating from the outset to secure an 11-4 win and a 2-1 lead. But Liu wasn’t finished yet. She stormed into the fourth game with an 8-1 advantage, eventually winning 11-4 and forcing a decisive fifth game.
In the final showdown, both players exchanged points intensely. Leading 6-4, Sun prompted Liu to call a timeout. Returning to the table, Sun captured four straight points, reaching match point at 10-4. With determination, she sealed her victory 11-4.
Sun Yingsha now advances to the round of 32, where she will face Egypt’s Hana Goda. The thrilling match against Liu showcased the high level of competition at the WTT US Smash and set the stage for more exciting games ahead.
