(by Steve Hopkins)

The WTT’s Saudi Smash has completed the first round of the main draw, and USA’s Lily Zhang is one of those to advance. Lily faced Charlotte Lutz of France (World No. 83), and won three close games on her way to the Round of 32.  USA’s Amy Wang lost a close 3-2 match to Germany’s Nina Mitelham.  Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz also bowed out today, losing to Sofia Polcanova 3-1.

The Women’s top seeds moved forward with Sun Yingsha, Qian Tianyi, Chen Xingtong, Wang Yidi, Mima Ito, Miyuu Kihara, Miwa Harimoto, and Wang Manyu all advanced.  Matches continue on Monday – eventually reaching the Finals next Saturday.

In the Men’s event, Wang Chuqin, Lin Gaoyuan, Liang Jingkun, Lin Shidong, Ma Long, And Fan Zhendong all advanced easily.  Somewhat surprisingly, six Germans advanced to the Round of 32 with Ovtcharov topping Alexis Lebrun, Filus upsetting Pitchford, Duda toppinng Sareen, Boll defeating Oh Jungsung, Dang Qiu over Tiago Apolonia, and Franziska eliminating Anders Lind.  So at this moment, there are six Chinese, six Germans, five from Koreans, four Japanese, and the singles: Ionescu from Romania, Assar from Egypt, Groth from Denmark, Alamiyan from Iran, Aruna from Nigeria, Chuang from Taipei, Lum from Australia, Jorgic from Slovenia, Calderano from Brazil, Robles from Spain, and Felix Lebrun from France.

This year’s Saudi Smash has 2 million dollars in prize money, and the winners will get 2000 ranking points.  This high level of prize money and ranking points likely explains why just about every top player is present.  In the Men’s Singles event, all of the top 22 players will be competing – and we are only missing 3 players in the top 50.  Its similar on the Women’s side where 14 of the top 15 are present and only 6 of the Top 50 are absent.  In that list of great players are Americans Lily Zhang (World No. 31) and Amy Wang (World No. 34).

Lots of action is on tap for later this week with the Finals scheduled for next Saturday.

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