WTT Singapore Smash: Izaac Quek's stirring run ends after loss to world No.3
Despite defeat to China's Wang Chuqin, the 16-year-old has already created a slice of history at the elite tournament
SINGAPORE — Izaac Quek's valiant run in the WTT Singapore Smash finally came to an end on Wednesday night (15 March), as he was eliminated in the men's singles event by China's world No.3 Wang Chuqin.
The 16-year-old world No.242 - who created a slice of history last Saturday when he became the first Singaporean paddler to win a men's singles match at the elite tournament - was unable to bridge the gap between himself and Wang, losing 4-11, 6-11, 7-11 to the reigning WTT Cup Finals champion.
"I feel that during the game, I tried all of my strategies, but I was still unable to find a way to win, which proves that I am still not strong enough," Quek said after his defeat at the OCBC Arena.
"So, I will have to get back to the training hall and work hard in order to catch up to his level."
Despite the loss, the former Under-15 boys' world No.1 has already had a memorable outing at Singapore's biggest table tennis competition.
He had stunned reigning Commonwealth Games champion Sharath Kamal Achanta of India in the opening round, and followed it up with an even bigger upset on Monday, as he came from two games down to defeat Sweden's world No.36 Mattias Falck in the round-of-32.
Earlier on Wednesday, Quek and Koen Pang also exited the men's doubles event, losing 4-11, 8-11, 11-6, 6-11 to Wang and men's singles world No.1 Fan Zhendong.
With Quek's men's singles exit, there are no more Singaporean paddlers left in the main draw of the Singapore Smash.
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