The WTT Singapore Grand Slam tournament continued, with the national table tennis veteran Malone playing against Africa's Aruna on the 3rd match day, and the two sides competed for a round of 16 qualification. In the end, Malone defeated his opponent 3-1 to advance to the next round. In the second set, Malone's performance was average, losing 5-11, but he still quickly adjusted the pace, won 2 consecutive sets, and the desperate situation broke out, in this way, Malone advanced to the men's singles round of 16!
The first game between the two sides, Malone's state is very good, once achieved a 7-1 advantage, facing Malone, Aruna some can not let go, can not find the offensive rhythm, mistakes, although chased to 3-7, but Malone's ability to grasp the rhythm is very strong, firmly suppress the opponent, high-precision pursuit of the ball makes the opponent very embarrassed. After 9-3, Malone's advantage has been established, Aruna mistakenly sent another point, has been 3-10 behind, the opponent saved a set point, but Malone scored a backhand slash ball, 11-4, Malone won the first set.
Coming to the second set of the game, Aruna entered the state faster, the success rate of the sideways attack was still high, once 6-3 lead, Malone fell into a downturn, after a chance to miss the ball, Malone helplessly shook his head, but also sighed. Trailing 4-7, Malone made a mistake and was already 4-8 behind. Apparently, Malone encountered stubborn resistance from his opponents in this game, Aruna seized the opportunity, causing the national table tennis star to grab the mistake, the opponent took the lead in the set point with a score of 10-5, Aruna won the showdown, 11-5, Aruna equalized the big score, 1-1 draw.
In the third set of the competition, Malone solved the problem of slow heat, continuously mobilized opponents to score, and after 3-2, Malone roared angrily. Having found the rhythm, Malone could easily overwhelm his opponents in attack to take a 5-2 lead, however, Aruna broke out again, chasing a 5-5 draw. The next ball scramble, Ma Long scored with a forehand change of line, and Qin Zhijian stood up and applauded him. After 9-6, Malone served, the two attacked, Aruna returned the ball out of bounds, Malone played a high-quality return ball, 11-6 to win the third set, the overall score, Malone led 2-1.
In the crucial fourth set, the competition between the two was still very fierce, after 4-4, Malone attacked consecutively to score 1 point, 5-4 lead, Aruna once rebounded, but Malone chased to 7-7 draw. After 9-9, both sides entered a timeout. After the game resumed, Malone scored 2 consecutive points, 11-9, and Malone won 3-1 on aggregate!