by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

The pair accounted for the combination of Romania’s Alexandru Manole and Russia’s Vladimir Sidorenko (11-7, 11-8, 11-3), before emerging successful in a gruelling full distance five games contest against Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic and Bojan Tokic (11-9, 8-11, 5-11, 18-16, 11-9).

An impressive performance for a new partnership, Gao Ning’s previous partners with whom he enjoyed success being Li Hu and Yang Zi. Likewise, there was an equally impressive performance from another first time combination.

Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy and Cazuo Matsumoto reserved their place in the main draw courtesy of success against Slovenia’s Deni Kozul and Tom Sfiligoj (11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4), followed by victory in opposition to the pairing formed by Panagiotis Gionis of Greece and the Slovak Republic’s Wang Yang (14-12, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8).

“It is the first time we have played together, the partnership worked really well. We have qualified for the main draw which is good for Vitor as this is his first time. We chose the right variation of changing the pace and spin on our first attack so they could not read our game. It’s a great success for Brazil and we are looking forward for tomorrow”, Cazuo Matsumoto following the win against Panagiotis Gionis and Wang Yang.

Meanwhile in the Women’s Doubles qualification rounds; the pair to attract attention was a partneship that is no stranger to attracting attention. Germany’s Nina Mittelham and Israel’s Nicole Trosman, won the Cadet Girls’ Doubles title at the 2011 European Youth Championships in Kazan.

In Budapest, they reserved their place in the main draw courtesy of success against the Greek partnership of  Maria Christoforaki and Filareti Exarchou (11-8, 11-5, 11-3), followed by victory in opposition to Romania’s Adina Diaconu and Andreea Dragoman (11-9, 11-9, 12-10)

“We played doubles together when we were cadets, we were European champions and we thought we pair up together because of the forthcoming Under 21 Europeans. We really enjoyed playing together again and it all worked; just as it did when we were younger. We played the right game selected the right balls to kill, perfect harmony. We are up for the challenge again”, Nicole Trosman after the success against Adina Diaconu and Andreea Dragoman.

Play in the main draw of the Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles events commences on Thursday 19th January.