06/19/2013       ITTF World Tour, Japan Open, Super Series

The principal names on duty for the host nation in the first phase of proceedings in the Men’s Singles event at the ITTF World Tour Japan Open in Yokohama, on Wednesday 19th June 2013, emerged successful.

It was two visits to the table and two wins for: Asuka Machi, Jin Ueda, Hiromitsu Kasahara, Hidetoshi Oya, Ryusuke Karube and Masataka Morizono.

All, by virtue of two successes on the first day of play, have assured themselves of places in the main draw; players finishing in first and second positions in each of the 16 groups advance to the first round where they join the 32 seeds.

 06/19/2013       ITTF World Tour, Japan Open, Super Series

Listed at no.65 on the Women’s World Rankings and having enjoyed an illustrious teenager career with no less than four ITTF Junior Girls’ Singles titles to her credit, Misaki Morizono was the player from the host nation to suffer the greatest anguish on the first day of play at the ITTF World Tour Japan Open in Yokohama on Wednesday 19th June 2013.

She was beaten by Korea’s Lee Dasom, named at no.222 on the Women’s World Rankings in six games (11-3, 11-9, 12-10, 1-11, 9-11, 11-18).

However, the door to the main draw does remain ajar for 21 year old Misaki Morizono.

 06/19/2013       ITTF World Tour, Japan Open, Super Series

Winner of the Junior Boys’ Singles title at the European Youth Championships in the Czech Republic capital city of Prague in 2009 and on duty for France at the recent LIEBHERR World Championships in Paris, Quentin Robinot experienced mixed fortunes on the opening day of play, Wednesday 19th June 2013, at the ITTF World Tour Japan Open in Yokohama.

He was beaten in his opening encounter by China’s Cui Qinglei in a contest where he established a three games to nil lead, before losing the next four to suffer defeat (3-11, 9-11, 10-13, 11-9, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7).

Defeat but to his great credit, the 20 year old Frenchman recovered in his concluding group phase contest to beat Korea’s Kim Taehook in six games (11-8, 11-8, 11-8, 3-11, 11-13, 11-9).

 06/19/2013       ITTF World Tour, Japan Open, Super Series

Winner of the Junior Girls’ Singles title at the Spanish Junior and Cadet Open in Platja d’Aro just over one year ago, the host nation’s Shiho Matsudaira caught the eye as matters commenced in the first stage of the Women’s Singles event at the ITTF World Tour Japan Open in Yokohama on Wednesday 19th June 2013.

She accounted for Korea’s Lee Yearam, a contest in which she withstood a brave fight-back by the Korean.

Shiho Matsudaira won the first three games before hitting trouble.

Nevertheless, the recovery was eventually quashed with Shiho Matsudaira recording a six games victory (11-5, 12-10, 11-7, 6-11, 3-11, 11-7).

 06/19/2013       ITTF World Tour, Japan Open, Super Series

Once again the city of Yokohama is the focal point for a major international table tennis tournament; the ITTF World Tour Japan Open commenced on Wednesday 19th June and concludes on Sunday 23rd June 2013.

The sport has a high priority in the city that geographically starts where Tokyo finishes; it is a fact that was clearly reflected before the start of play in the Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium.

Mrs Fumiko Hayashi, the Mayor of Yokohama, was delighted to welcome members of the Japanese Team to the City Hall for a reception.

 06/18/2013       ITTF World Tour, Japan Open, Super Series

At the seventh attempt Japan finally gained a medal at the Olympic Games; on Sunday 5th August 2012 in London’s ExCeL Arena, tears streamed down the faces of Ai Fukuhara, Kasumi Ishikawa and Sayaka Hirano as they beat Singapore to assure themselves of at least a silver medal.

Understandably, since that epic day, all three have experienced somewhat of a lull in fortunes.

None excelled at the recent LIEBHERR World Championships and all are on duty at the forthcoming ITTF World Tour Japan Open which starts in Yokohama on Wednesday 19th June 2013.

 06/18/2013       ITTF World Tour, Japan Open, Super Series

Have you some comments regarding the ITTF World Tour Japan Open which will be staged in Yokohama from Wednesday 19th to Sunday 23rd June 2013?

Or, simply you may have some questions on the event?
If yes, then join the ITTF Japan Open twitter conversation, by putting the official event hashtag #ITTFJapan in all your tweets.

It will allow you to join the experts, fellow fans and athletes discussing the ITTF World Tour China Open.

 06/17/2013       ITTF World Tour, Japan Open, Super Series

A man with a new lease of life, 32 year old Chuang Chih-Yuan heads the seeding in the Men’s Singles event at the forthcoming ITTF World Tour Japan Open, which starts in Yokohama on Wednesday 19th June and concludes on Sunday 23rd June 2013.

Not only does he top the list in the Men’s Singles event, he is also in pole position in the Men’s Doubles competition with Chen Chien-An, the pair now established amongst the best on planet earth, after their sensational success at the recent LIEBHERR World Championships in Paris.

An agonising fourth place in the Men’s Singles event at the London 2012 Olympic Games, the win in Paris was more than consolation for the disappointment in the English capital city; however both tournaments have one factor in common in the career of Chuang Chih-Yuan, they mark a quite staggering rejuvenation.

 06/16/2013       ITTF World Tour, China Open, Super Series

The winner in Qatar earlier in the year in February, Ma Long collected his second ITTF World Tour title of the year, when he succeeded in the northern city of Changchun on Sunday 16th June 2013.

In the final of the Men’s Singles event at the ITTF World Tour China Open, he beat the home town man and national team compatriot, Wang Hao, to arrest the title.

Occupying the no.2 seeded position in the draw, he overcame the no.3 seed, in a most emphatic manner; he recorded a straight games success to secure gold (11-8, 11-8, 11-2, 11-8).