Ding eases through first round, Sun shocks Ito at ITTF Swedish Open

STOCKHOLM, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- World champion Ding Ning won her first international match in almost five months as she beat Austrian paddler Sofia Polcanova in staight games, while her fellow Chinese Sun Mingyang shocked Japanese promising star Mima Ito in the women's singles first round of the ITTF World Tour Swedish Open here on Thursday.

Ding last played in China Open in June, where she beat compatriot Sun Yingsha in the final. The Grand Slam winner met little resistance from Polcanova in her first match back to the stage, and secured a spot in round of 16 at 11-7, 11-5, 11-3, 11-4.

Ding will next face teammate Chen Ke, who eliminated Jeon Jihee of South Korea after six games.

After overcoming Ito 11-7, 12-10, 8-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, Sun set up another all-Chinese clash with Zhang Qiang.