World No.1 Ma Lin blown out of Swedish Open ( 2003-11-22 11:39) (Xinhua)
World top player Ma Lin from China tasted a bitter early exit after he was
downed by Toshio Tasaki of Japan in the second round of the Swedish Open table
tennis tournament in Malmo on Friday.
With powerful service and fierce attacks, Tasaki took control of the game,
winning 4-1 (16-14, 11-2, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9).
Ma, who snatched his third Pro Tour singles title in a row last week at the
Danish Open, had to concentrate on his doubles glory together with his new
partner Wang Hao in Malmo after they lifted the trophy in Arbus, Denmark last
Sunday.
World champion Werner Schlager of Austria entered the last 16 by beating
Swede Magnus Mansson 4-3 (11-8, 6-11, 11-1, 6-11, 11-9, 4-11, 11-6). This is the
first time since his triumph in Paris that he didn't fall out in the early
rounds because of injury.
Schlager will meet Chinese young sensation Chen Qi on
Saturday.
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