SINGAPORE - Despite squandering two match points, Singapore paddler Yu Mengyu showed sufficient fortitude to upset Monaco's world No. 44 Yang Xiaoxin at the WTT Star Contender Doha tournament, carving out a 3-2 (8-11, 11-4, 11-2, 10-12, 11-7) winto reach the last 32 on Monday (March 8).

It was Yu's seventh women's singles victory in eight matches in eight days, following a top-four finish at last week's World Table Tennis Contender event that also took place in the Qatari capital.

The 31-year-old Singaporean will play Puerto Rican Adriana Diaz on Tuesday for a place in the last 16 of the US$400,000 (S$539,000) event.

World No. 50 Yu told The Straits Times: "I'm not that happy with my performance today even though I was thoroughly prepared. The opponent was persistent and I was a bit nervous and lost some crucial points.

"After last week's exertions, I'm a bit tired but I will take it one match at a time and persevere."

Yu was not the only Singaporean to emerge victorious after going the distance as world No. 73 Zeng Jian won her final six points to beat unranked Luxembourger Sarah De Nutte 3-2 (8-11, 11-7, 11-3, 6-11, 11-4) and set up a meeting with South Korea's world No. 15 Jeon Ji-hee.

The 24-year-old said: "I faced some difficulties in the fourth game when the opponent mixed up her serves, but I was mentally prepared and adjusted accordingly.

"I'm confident in my game as we have been training well, and will strive to achieve an upset in my next match."

However, world No. 59 Lin Ye lost 3-0 (11-6, 11-8, 11-4) to Ukraine's world No. 69 Ganna Gaponova.

National women's team coach Hao Anlin summarised: "Lin Ye struggled against the defensive tactics of the Ukrainian and did not read the spins as well as she should have.

"Mengyu and Zeng Jian pulled through after tough matches but their tempo reactions can still be improved."

Singapore's top paddler Feng Tianwei received a bye and will face South Korean Zion Lee or Spain's Maria Xiao in the round of 32.