MACAO, China, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese paddlers Chen Xingtong and Zhou Qihao advanced to the last 16 at the WTT Champions Macao 2026 on Thursday.
Facing Germany's Nina Mittelham, Chen produced a composed performance to win comfortably 11-5, 11-6, 11-3 and reach the women's round of 16.
"The match went more smoothly than I expected; I didn't anticipate both the scoreline and the process," Chen said. "We were both playing our first match, so our touch wasn't completely hot yet. I believe each match will get better."
Looking ahead to her next opponent, Egypt's Hana Goda, Chen said the two had met recently and the contest had been intense. "The next match won't be easy, but I'll give it my all," said Chen, who beat Goda at the Europe Smash in Sweden in August.
In the men's round of 32, China's world No. 24 Zhou came back from 2-1 down to eliminate seventh seed Qiu Dang of Germany 11-9, 10-12, 6-11, 11-9, 11-5.
Zhou said: "Being down 1-2 caused me a lot of difficulty and pressure. At 0-2 in the fourth game, I took a timeout and tried to prolong rallies as much as possible so I wouldn't be unsettled by his variations in the first three balls, and to open up the score."
Zhou will face American Kanak Jha in the round of 16.
Elsewhere, Japan's Hina Hayata, Honoka Hashimoto and Shunsuke Togami all won their first-round matches to advance.
The round of 16 also began, with Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto and Miwa Harimoto both winning in straight games to reach the quarterfinals. ■
