Upset Alert! Mima Ito Shocked in First-Round Exit, Falls 2–3 to Zeng Jian — Her First Loss to the Rival in Nine Years

On the evening of October 24, Beijing time, the 2025 WTT London Star Challenge delivered one of its biggest surprises yet. Japan’s top table tennis star Mima Ito suffered a shocking first-round exit in the women’s singles Round of 32, falling 2–3 to Singapore’s Zeng Jian. The loss ended Ito’s campaign prematurely and denied her a spot in the Round of 16.

Zeng Jian 3–2 Mima Ito (6–11, 12–10, 5–11, 14–12, 11–9)

Ito started strong, coming out aggressively and dictating the pace to comfortably claim the opening game. In the second game, Zeng Jian fought back fiercely, keeping the score tight before showing remarkable composure on the crucial points to level the match.

The third game saw Ito regain control with her trademark speed and precision, taking a 2–1 lead in convincing fashion. However, the fourth game mirrored the second — Zeng once again withstood pressure in the key moments, holding her nerve to force a decisive fifth game.

In the final game, Zeng maintained a steady rhythm to go up 6–4, but Ito countered with a surge to retake the lead at 9–6. Just when victory seemed within reach, Zeng mounted an incredible comeback, scoring five consecutive points to complete the stunning 3–2 upset over the Japanese ace.

Head-to-Head History

This was the seventh meeting between the two players. With this victory, Zeng Jian narrows the overall record to 2–5, ending her five-match losing streak against Ito and securing her first win over the Japanese star in nine years — a truly memorable breakthrough.

A Stunning Upset

The result sent shockwaves through the tournament. Mima Ito, ranked world No. 9 and seeded second in London, had been considered one of the top contenders for the title — especially with the absence of Chinese national team players. After receiving a bye in the first round, few expected her to crash out so early.

For Zeng Jian, ranked world No. 46, this victory was monumental. She had previously advanced to the Round of 32 with a dominant 3–0 win over Croatia’s Aneta Arapović, and now capped her run with one of the biggest upsets of her career. After nine long years, she finally conquered Mima Ito again — a triumph that will surely be remembered as a defining moment in her career.