Macau's Zhu comes out on top in Vegas, as Sun, Wang suffer shock defeats
The triple Olympic gold medallist had only lost one of her 33 singles matches this year before coming up against Chen, who beat the world No 1 11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9.
Sun's only other defeat was in February at the Asia Cup final, when she was swept by compatriot Wang Manyu. Wang was also dumped out of the Vegas competition on Thursday, going down 3-1 to Macau's Zhu Yuling.
Ranked No 17 in the world, Chen said she had not expected to beat a player she had faced just once before on the international stage. At that junior tournament in 2015, Sun eased to a 3-0 win.
Sun Yingsha lost a singles match for just the second time all year. Photo: Xinhua
'I did play well in the match and I am thrilled now,' she said. 'I didn't do anything special technically or tactically.
'She's the world No 1 after all, so I was just trying to fight against her the best I could. I focused on every point and may have handled it slightly better at those crucial points.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
8 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
‘Heart over height': Yuki Kawamura searches for NBA spot during Chicago Bulls summer stint
Yuki Kawamura came to Las Vegas with a simple goal: get a contract. Advertisement The second-year point guard understands the challenge. Last season, Kawamura was the shortest player in the NBA at 5-foot-8 (1.72 metres). No matter. He won a training camp contract, then a two-way deal with the Memphis Grizzlies. His playing time was not much – 93 minutes in total – but it was enough to showcase his abilities as a playmaker at the highest level. This year is no different. Kawamura knows he can make an impact in this league. And he will take any opportunity to prove that point, again and again. 'I believe I still can play in the NBA,' Kawamura said after his first NBA Summer League game with the Chicago Bulls. 'I want to get a contract – two-way, whatever. I just want to get a contract.' Summer league games are not typical NBA games. They move too quickly for fans of specific teams to pack the stands. So Friday's match-up between the Bulls and the Toronto Raptors was not punctuated with much in the way of applause or cheers – until Kawamura came on the court. Japan's Yuki Kawamura puts up a shot against Finland during their World Cup game in 2023. Photo: Kyodo When the guard entered the game midway through the first quarter, a row of fans decked out in hachimakis (helmet-scars) and Japan basketball gear sprang to their feet, lofting posters and blown-up photos of Kawamura's headshot.
The Standard
a day ago
- The Standard
Flag football federation 'hopes' US teams have reserve places at LA Olympics
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass poses for a picture in front of the Los Angeles Coliseum with Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and leaders from LA28 as she announces the locations of the opening and closing 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles, California, U.S., May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Mike Blake
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- South China Morning Post
Macau's Zhu claims WTT US Smash victory, then hails ‘eye-catching' display by Chen
Macau's Zhu Yuling won the World Table Tennis (WTT) US Smash women's singles title in Las Vegas on Sunday, and then praised the 'eye-catching' performance of her beaten opponent Chen Yi. Chen had captured the imagination of fans in mainland China after eliminating some of the game's biggest stars, including world No 1 Sun Yingsha, en route to the final. But Zhu, herself a former world No 1, battled back from two games down to win 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8 at the Orleans Arena. 'I hope everyone will give Chen a round of applause,' Zhu said. 'Her performance was very eye-catching. 'She has experience beyond her age, and watching her was like seeing myself when I was younger.' Zhu Yuling (right) came back from behind to beat Chen at the WTT United States Smash on Sunday. Photo: Handout Zhu, who also urged Chen to 'be yourself' and ignore what the outside world thinks, said it was a game of fine margins.
