Stellar line-up of table tennis stars to feature in 2023 Singapore Smash event
PHOTO: WORLD TABLE TENNIS
Singapore, 8 February 2023 – Spectators to Singapore Smash 2023 can expect a star-studded singles field with 2022 champions Chen Meng, the women’s world No. 2, and the top-ranked Fan Zhendong (men’s) returning to defend their crowns at the OCBC Arena at the Singapore Sports Hub.
The top 10 women’s and men’s singles players will be in action at Singapore Smash 2023, which takes place from 7-9 March (qualifying) and 11-19 March (main draw). The player line-up is available at singaporesmash.com.
In addition to the defending champions, Singapore Smash 2023 will also feature a slew of leading Chinese and Japanese players set to thrill the crowd with their fantastic displays of speed, court coverage and shotmaking.
These include women’s world No. 1 Sun Yingsha of China and fan favourites Hina Hayata (No. 5) and Mima Ito (No. 6), the 2022 women’s doubles finalists from Japan. Germany’s Han Ying (No. 10), Adriana Diaz (No. 13) of Puerto Rico and 14th-ranked Austrian Sofia Polconova are also set to bid for Singapore Smash glory on the Infinity Arena, launched by WTT at last year’s Smash.
PHOTO: WORLD TABLE TENNIS
In the men’s event, world No. 2 Ma Long, last year’s singles finalist, will aim to go one better this year while also fending off challenges from the likes of third-ranked compatriot Wang Chuqin, Japanese prodigy Tomokazu Harimoto (No. 4) and Brazilian world No. 5 Hugo Calderano, who last month won back-to-back WTT Contender titles (in Durban, South Africa and Dohan, Qatar).
The sixth-ranked Truls Moregard, German legend Timo Boll and Liam Pitchford of England will return to do battle in Singapore as well.
Singapore will be represented in the women’s singles event by Zeng Jian (No. 55), and wildcards Zhou Jingyi and Wong Xin Ru. The Singaporeans in the men’s singles are Olympian Clarence Chew and 2019 SEA Games champion Koen Pang.
Table tennis fans can also catch some of the sport’s exciting young talents, such as 15-year-old Egyptian Hana Goda, who won the ITTF-Africa Cup in May 2022 to become the youngest-ever Continental Cup winner at 14 years and 167 days old. She will be joined in the women’s event by fellow teenager Shin Yubin, South Korea’s youngest ever table tennis player at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
World Number 2 and Defending Women's Singles Champion Chen Meng said: “I’m looking forward to competing again at Singapore Smash 2023. It is always an honour to be returning as the Defending Champion.
There’s a very strong field of players and I’m expecting the competition to be tough, but this is what we train for and it’s a good chance for us to put this training into practice. We’ll all be tested physically and mentally, but I’m up for the challenge and ready to give the fans a good show as I defend my title, so I hope they enjoy watching us play as well.”
PHOTO: WORLD TABLE TENNIS
In addition to watching the biggest names and future stars of table tennis in action next month, ticket-holders can also enjoy an unparalleled fan experience at the Singapore Smash Park. Food and beverage options, live entertainment and player engagement opportunities such as autograph sessions are among the highlights that fans can look forward to.
Singapore Smash Zone at the newly-renovated OCBC Square also returns providing the opportunity for Singapore Sports Hub visitors with the opportunity to play table tennis on the same tables as the Event’s stars.
Singapore Smash 2023 will feature 64 player men’s and women’s singles and 24-pair doubles and mixed competitions. A singles qualifying competition featuring a further 64 men and 64 women will be held from 7-9 March. The full line-up of players will be announced in early February with more Singaporean players also expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Tickets to the qualifying rounds, which take place from 7-9 March, start at S$18 while ticket prices for main draw from 11-19 March start from $28. Tickets are available at https://ticketmaster.sg/activity/detail/23_sgsmash2023.
The first-ever Singapore Smash in March 2022 marked the start of a grand new legacy for table tennis and for Singapore. Singapore Smash 2023 promises to be bigger and better with more action on the Infinity Arena – there will be one additional match in each session.
Action on the Infinity Arena will see five matches per sessions during the early rounds. Spectators’ viewing experience in Hall 2 will also be enhanced with two show tables so fans can enjoy better value and event experience through more matches and longer sessions.