Paul Drinkhall was knocked out of the China Smash by Hong Kong’s Lam Siu Hang in the first qualifying round.

The English No 2 is currently ranked No 140 and was up against a man ranked 40 places higher. Drinkhall had won their only previous meeting, although that was back in 2017.

The first game was close throughout, and Drinkhall led 9-8, but a run of three points gave Lam the game, and he kicked on to win the second more easily.

Drinkhall raised hopes of a comeback by taking the first three points of the third game, but only won one more point as his opponent moved into the next round.

GB Paris Olympians Liam Pitchford and Anna Hursey are also competing in Beijing. Pitchford is seeded into the main draw of the Men’s Singles, while Hursey was defeated by Sweden’s Filippa Bergand (WR 160) in the first qualifying round of the Women’s Singles.

Hursey (WR 95) led the first game 7-3 but her opponent swept up the next eight points, and was never behind in the next game as she extended her lead.

In the third, Hursey saved match points at 10-9 and 12-11, either side of missing a game point of her own, but Bergand took her third match point.

Follow the event on the WTT YouTube channel.

Pitchford & Hursey are also in the Mixed Doubles, while Pitchford partners Belgium’s Martin Allegro in the Men’s. Hursey is in the Women’s Doubles with Minhyung Jee of Australia. The doubles draws have not yet been made.

Result

Men’s Singles
Qualifying round 1
Lam Siu Hang (HKG) bt Paul Drinkhall 3-0 (11-9, 11-4, 11-4)

Women’s Singles
Qualifying round 1
Filippa Bergand (SWE) bt Anna Hursey (WAL) 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 14-12)