Chinese veteran Kong Linghui lost to Werner Schlager of Austria 4-3 in a first rounder on the opening day of the ITTF Pro Tour finals Friday in Beijing.

Schlager, who won the men's singles title in the world championships last year in Paris, edged out Kong in a thrilling seven-setter (11-9, 7-11, 4-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-4 and 14-12).

Kong, 11st in the world rankings, seemed to have a little lapse of concentration at the onset of the match, losing the first set 9-11, while Schlager looked more energetic.

Jolted into the action again, the Chinese veteran fought back to clitch the ensuing three sets before world number nine Schlager pulled two sets back to force the game into the deciding seventh.

Leading the final set 9-7, Schlager seemed to be more tougher than Kong, although the latter managed to make it 9-all.

The scoreboard went up to 12-12 before Kong's returing mistake cost him the set as well as the match.

Other Chinese men players Wang Liqin, Chen Qi and Wang Hao all made to next round with ease.

Source: Xinhua