Liao cheng

WTT China Smash: Chinese table tennis icon Ma Long claimed victory in the men's singles first round with ease at the World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash here on Monday. Six-time Olympic champion Ma entered the arena holding his two sons' hands before comfortably winning 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 over Liam Pitchford of England, advancing to the last 32 of the men's singles.

"Today was quite special because it was the first time my sons watched me play. It was also one of my motivations to compete this time. I wanted to show my best in front of them," said the 35-year-old. "I've lost to Pitchford before, so today, I treated the match seriously from the first ball and put pressure on him."

China's Lin Gaoyuan has survived the big-serving Noshad Alamiyan of Iran in a closely fought 3-1 win, reports Xinhua. "I think I was fully prepared for the difficulties I might encounter because I reviewed our last match and learned from it. His style was unique and made me very uncomfortable on court. I got myself motivated early in the match and executed my technique and tactics," said Lin.