Five up-and-coming young stars revealed as wildcards in singles events, while two pairs each from mixed, women's and men's doubles will also feature
PHOTO: WORLD TABLE TENNIS
Singapore, 16 February 2023 – Singapore will be represented in all categories of next month’s Singapore Smash, as organisers on Thursday (16 February) announced more local wildcards for the March 7-19 event at the Singapore Sports Hub’s OCBC Arena.
Five up-and-coming young stars were unveiled as wildcards in the singles events: Goi Rui Xuan (women’s singles main draw), Izaac Quek (men’s singles main draw), Tan Zhao Yun (women’s singles qualifying), Lucas Tan and Dominic Koh (men’s singles qualifying). Singapore’s doubles roster is also set, with two pairs each in the mixed, women’s and men’s doubles draws.
PHOTO: WORLD TABLE TENNIS
Notably, Clarence Chew and Ethan Poh pair up again in the men’s doubles, where they will no doubt look to repeat their giant-killing performance last year. The duo delighted the home fans at the first-ever Singapore Smash last year when they stunned the 2019 World Championship doubles silver medallists enroute to the men’s doubles quarterfinals. The local wildcard entry list is available in Annex A of the attached release.
Izaac Quek, part of the men’s team that won silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, said: “I am very grateful to STTA and WTT for giving me a chance to compete in such a high-level event at such a young age. It is not often that I get to play against or be in the same environment as all the world’s top players and I will seize this opportunity to play my best and learn from all the players. I hope to make use of this opportunity to learn as much I can and do my best in the competition.”
PHOTO: WORLD TABLE TENNIS
The wildcards will be led by compatriot and women’s world No. 55 Zeng Jian, who will compete in the women’s singles and mixed doubles events.
Zeng Jian, the highest-ranked active local player in the field, said: “I’m very much looking forward to the upcoming Singapore Smash – it’s a gathering of the world’s best players. I’ll prepare well and do my best to enjoy the experience, and I hope spectators in Singapore come out to cheer us on.”
PHOTO: WORLD TABLE TENNIS
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 event boasts an impressive singles field, with the top 10 women’s and men’s players set to show their prowess at the OCBC Arena next month. The full player line-up is available at singaporesmash.com.
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
PHOTO: WORLD TABLE TENNIS
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.