Confronting China's most decorated Olympian Ma, the 21-year-old Chinese Zeng Beixun took a 5-1 lead early, but Ma rallied past quickly to secure a win 11-8. After Ma pocketed the second set 11-6, Zeng came back to take the third with the same score. More aggressive returns helped Ma to win the fourth set 12-10 for a berth in the last 16.

"This is the first time for us to meet at major events. I scored the decisive points to seal the victory," the 35-year-old Ma noted. "Zeng made great progress recently. I am really delighted to see more talents growing to keep the overall strength of Chinese table tennis at a high level."

Wang Manyu of China eased past German paddler Sabine Winter 11-6, 11-2, 11-8 in just 17 minutes and will match up with her teammate Qin Yuxuan, 18, in the round of 16, reports Xinhua.

"Chinese young players have shown great momentum, so I need to get prepared in dealing with difficulties next," Wang Manyu, 25, said after the game.

Earlier on Wednesday, in an all-Chinese women's doubles match, the wildcard duo Qin and Zong Geman shocked the fifth-seeded Wang Manyu and Kuai Man 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8.

In the men's doubles, Wang Chuqin and Liang Jingkun of China beat Australian Aditya Sareen and Argentina's Santiago Lorenzo 11-6, 11-7, 11-9.

"After the Paris Olympics, I tried to find the same active state in competition as before. I wanted to have a great performance at the China Smash, but I didn't make a detailed plan in advance. My mindset was not completely settled down. I need to get myself back through doubles matches," said the top-ranked Wang, who was upset by Denmark's Anders Lind in the men's singles round of 32 on Tuesday.

On the fifth main draw competition day, world No. 1 Sun Yingsha will take on her compatriot Liu Weishan, while Ma will compete with South Korean Lee Sang-su for the last eight.