Young talent shocks superstar in World Table Tennis Championships scrimmage

The 18-year-old talent Liang Jingkun shocked table tennis superstar Zhang Jike by 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10 in the Chinese team's scrimmage for 2015 World Championships here on Monday.

"I made full preparation for the game. I wanted to win, and that was my motivation," said Liang.

After participating in China's Sports Personality of Year 2014 gala in Beijing last Sunday, Zhang arrived at the court as the scrimmage kicked off. Lack of practice paid him off.

"I failed to take the opportunity. It was a result of insufficient practice," he commented.

World's No. 1 Xu Xin and his opponent Shang Kun pleased the crowds with spectacular attacking plays. Leading by 2-1 after the third game, Shang built a 8-5 margin in the fourth, just before Xu's coach called a time-out. Then Xu came back and tied at 2-2 with 11-9.

"One by one, and I took the chance," Xu said.

Tension began to fall as two sides tied times in the final game. After tying at 13, Xu decided not to waste more time and sealed the win with a beautiful forehand.

In other two matches, Ma Long and Fan Zhendong respectively recorded a 3-0 win over Hao Shuai and Yan An.

Tuesday's semifinals will see a contest between Ma Long and Liang Jingkun, and the other between Xu Xin and Fan Zhendong. The champion will secure the first ticket among Chinese men's table tennis players for World Championships, which will run from April 26 to May 3 in Suzhou. Endi