Table tennis: Feng Tianwei knocked out in round of 16 at Tokyo Olympics

SINGAPORE: Feng Tianwei crashed out of the women’s singles table tennis competition at the Tokyo Olympics on Tuesday (Jul 27). 

The 34-year-old fell in the round of 16 to Germany's Han Ying, who won 4-1 at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. 

Ranked ninth in the world, Feng lost a closely fought first game 13-11 against her 38-year-old opponent, who was part of the German team that claimed a silver medal at the Rio Games five years ago. 

Han won the next two games 11-7, 11-9 against Feng, who stormed back to take the fourth 11-8. 

But Han regained her form in the fifth game to win 11-8. 

Speaking to CNA after the match, Feng said: "In the first three games, I couldn't find my rhythm but it was better in the fourth. My condition is okay but I didn't play as well as Han Ying." 

Feng reached the last 16 after surviving a scare in her 4-1 win over Spain’s Maria Xiao on Monday. Han Ying, meanwhile, swept past Australian Jian Fang Lay earlier on Tuesday.

Seeded sixth in Tokyo, Feng received a bye in the first round of the competition.

Feng is Singapore’s most decorated Olympian with three medals: One silver and two bronze.

"This may be my last Olympics and I haven't thought about what I'm going to do after this. But I'll play in the team round first and decide later," said Feng.

Feng's Singapore team-mate Yu Mengyu defeated the United States' Liu Juan earlier on Tuesday evening to claim a place in the last eight. 

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