Technique tweaks behind Zeng's hot streak

Keeping up her giant-killing streak, Singapore's Zeng Jian eliminated Japan's world No. 13 and defending champion Satsuki Odo from the World Table Tennis (WTT) Champions Montpellier women's singles on Oct 29.

- David Lee Senior Sports Correspondent

Zeng Jian showing her delight after beating Japan's world No. 13 Satsuki Odo 3-2 at the WTT Champions Montpellier event on Oct 29.

(PHOTO: WORLD TABLE TENNIS)

The world No. 40 ground out a gritty 3-2 (8-11, 11-9, 12-10, 10-12, 11-2) first-round win on an opening day of upsets at the US$500,000 (S$650,000) event at Montpellier’s Sud de France Arena.

Zeng, who had lost twice to the 21-year-old earlier in 2025, told The Straits Times: “Before the match, I was unsure if I could beat her. I just gave it my all, and I’m very happy to be able to play well and get the win.”

The 28-year-old will take on another higher-ranked Japanese player - world No. 10 Honoka Hashimoto — in the round of 16 on Oct 31, after the 27-year-old overcame Australia’s 29th-ranked Liu Yangzi 3-1 (9-11, 11-2, 11-7, 11-8) in the first round.

“I'll be playing against a top chopper next and I’ve never beaten her before,” added Zeng, who has taken just one game off Hashimoto in five previous meetings. “But this will be a good learning opportunity and I will give my all to play as well as I can.”