Making his debut after the Paris Olympics, Malone easily won the first round of the China Grand Slam

On the evening of September 30th, veteran table tennis player Ma Long made an exciting return at the 2024 World Table Tennis (WTT) China Grand Slam. He kicked off the tournament with a convincing 3-0 victory over England’s Pitchford, advancing smoothly to the men’s singles round of 32.

This event signifies Ma Long’s comeback to competitive play following his remarkable success in Paris, where he clinched his sixth Olympic gold medal. The player also brought along his two sons, a move that delighted fans in attendance.

Despite Pitchford’s determination, Ma Long’s experience and skill shone through, leading to an easy win. After the match, he reflected on having his sons there, stating, “I hope they can experience the charm of table tennis firsthand and that their presence will inspire me to perform even better.”

In the women’s singles, Chinese star Chen Xingtong also advanced to the round of 32, defeating Australia’s Chi Min-hyung with a solid score of 3-0. While the victory was straightforward, Chen admitted she wasn’t at her best yet, describing her opening match as somewhat conservative. She expressed her intention to quickly adapt to the venue and deliver a strong performance at the Beijing Grand Slam.

Chen previously faced a tough challenge at the WTT Macao Championship, where she was eliminated by Japan’s Hina Hayata in the quarterfinals. With Hayata’s world ranking closing in on her, Chen is now preparing to go up against Hong Kong’s top player, Doo Hoi Kem, in her next match. A win here would increase her points lead over Hayata.

As the opening rounds of the China Grand Slam wrap up, the Chinese national team is making a strong showing, with 11 players from both the men’s and women’s singles advancing to the round of 32.