Defending Singapore Smash champions Fan Zhendong and Chen Meng are ready and eager to do battle to retain their singles crowns, while Singapore’s table tennis players are also raring to do the home fans proud as the main draw starts on Saturday (11 March).
Singapore Smash spectators can expect some tantalising clashes from 11-19 March, after the singles draw ceremony took place in the Infinity Arena on Thursday (9 March) at the Singapore Sports Hub’s OCBC Arena.
Men’s singles defending champion and world No. 1 Fan Zhendong, who opens his Singapore Smash campaign against Anton Kallberg of Sweden, said on the sidelines of the draw ceremony: “I’m very happy to be returning to Singapore and playing in the Singapore Smash again. There’s always immense pressure wherever I am competing. But I’ll always find a way to adjust to that, taking into consideration my mental and physical condition as I adapt to the situation. I hope I can do my best here and make the fans happy; I’m very much looking forward to the competition.”
Women’s singles defending champion Chen Meng, the world No. 2, was also happy to return to Singapore. She added: “I’m excited to play in the Infinity Arena. The atmosphere here is really cool, and I’m really looking forward to my first match (against Japan’s Miyu Nagasaki).”
Table tennis fans can also anticipate a thrilling opening round clash between former world youth champion Xiang Peng of China and Japanese star Tomokazu Harimoto. Other first-round matches to watch include multiple Olympic medallist Kasumi Ishikawa of Japan taking on tricky Brazilian Bruna Takahashi in the women’s singles, and China’s up and coming Lin Shidong facing Swedish veteran Kristian Karlsson in the men’s singles.
In the women’s singles, Japanese world No. 5 Mima Ito starts her Singapore Smash 2023 singles event against America’s top player Lily Zhang while world No. 3 Wang Yidi of China opens against Romanian world No. 32 Bernadette Szocs. The in-form men’s world No. 5 Hugo Calderano, who has two WTT Contender titles under his belt in 2023, will also be one to watch as he looks to record a better result in Singapore this year – he crashed out of the first round of the 2022 event. European fans will be spoilt for choice too, with Germans Qiu Dang and Patrick Franziska to face England’s Liam Pitchford and Sweden’s Mattias Falck in their respective singles openers.
READ ALSO:Messi should be able to boast of 15 Ballon d’Or titles
The main draw of Singapore Smash 2023 commences from 11-19 March, and will feature 64 player men’s and women’s singles and 24-pair doubles and mixed competitions. The event boasts an impressive player field, with the 2022 champions in all five categories (men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, mixed doubles) returning to defend their titles. The top 10 women’s and men’s singles players will also be in action at the OCBC Arena. The full player line-up is available at singaporesmash.com.
In addition to the thrilling action and remarkable athletic displays, Singapore Smash ticket holders can also enjoy exclusive access and premium lifestyle offerings at the newly-launched Singapore Smash Park located outside Hall 1 and Hall 2 of the OCBC Arena. Members of the public can also explore the Singapore Smash Zone, a returning favourite located at the OCBC Square outside Kallang Wave Mall. The Singapore Smash Zone is free for all to enter, with free play tables and community competitions that allow members of the public to play some table tennis regardless of age, gender and skill level. Meet and greet opportunities with players will also be possible at both the Singapore Smash Park and Singapore Smash Zone.
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.