Battle to retain title

Promising Hong Kong table tennis player Wong Ching will be looking to score back-to-back women's singles titles when she competes in next month's Vietnam Open.

Ching shocked her opposition by becoming one of the youngest competitors to win the title at 17, but she knows that the competition will be much tougher this time around.

Ching and fellow teenager Song Ah-sim are currently flying the SAR flag with the retirement of top Hong Kong player Chan Tan-lui.

Another top player, Chai Po-wai, is taking a break from the game to have a baby.

The Vietnam Open will be held in Ho Chi Minh City from July 22 to 26.

'It will be a lot harder for me to retain my title because the competition is expected to be tougher and most of the players would have seen me play and know my style,' 18-year-old Ching said.

Last week, Ching and Ah-sim bowed out of the Malaysian Open in the last 16 in Kuala Lumpur.The Hong Kong duo fared better in doubles, finishing fifth.