Alice in wonderland after taking a set off Mengyu

YOUNG paddler Alice Chang can still afford a smile although her singles campaign ended early at the Indonesian Asian Games.

The 17-year-old managed to steal a set before going down 4-1 (11-4, 11-2, 11-4, 7-11, 11-2) to the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics quarter-finalist Fu Mengyu of Singapore in the second round at JI Expo in Kemayoran yesterday.

And that will be the confidence-booster for her as she gears up for the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in October.

“Mengyu is a top player with plenty of experience and achievements. So to win a set from an opponent of her calibre gives me lots of joy,” said Alice.

“I will play with more confidence at the Youth Olympic Games.

“The defeat, however, showed that there are still room for improvement. I’ll need to work on my overall technics, tactics and physical condition.”

Teammate Ho Ying was also knocked out in the round of 32 as she was no match to South Korea’s Jeon Ji-hee, losing 4-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6).

In the men’s singles, Ashraf Haiqal Rizal kept his word on giving Iranian world No. 75 a run for his money by going down fighting 4-1 (12-10, 11-7, 11-4, 8-11, 13-11) in the second round.

“It was a great match. I fought well, losing by small margin and even took a set from him,” said Ashraf.

“I matched him in the long rallies, but I got to improve on my service receiving and third ball attack,” added Ashraf, who will join SB/DJK Rosenheim, a third division club side in the German table tennis league on a threemonth stint.