China table tennis superstar Wang blasts unruly fans at Asian Cup
World No 1s Wang Chuqin, Sun Yingsha round on screaming spectators despite easing to three-game victories in Haikou
Chinese table tennis superstars Wang Chuqin laid into unruly fans at the 35th ITTF-ATTU Asian Cup, after they repeatedly disrupted his opponent during a singles match on Wednesday.
Despite world No 1s Wang and compatriot Sun Yingsha picking up straight-game victories to start the new season in Haikou, both expressed unhappiness with supporters who used flashes when taking pictures and screamed while points were being played.
In the first round of the men’s group stage, Wang eased past world No 108 Akash Pal from India, 11-3, 11-9, 11-5.
But with a raucous crowd throughout, the tipping point came in the second game at 9-6 with Pal serving, when fans continued shouting even after his serve.
As one spectator yelled out “turn off the flash”, in apparent reference to the repeated use of cameras, Pal lost the point. Wang turned towards the crowd and told them to “shut up”.
Earlier, Sun paused several times and pointed to stands before serving in the second game of her match against Taiwan’s Yeh Yi-tien.