by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Eventually, Lionel Weber overcame Portugal’s Diogo Carvalho (11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10, 6-11, 11-9), whilst in an equally close contest also decided by the minimal two point margin in the deciding game, Dennis Klein accounted for Romania’s Alexandru Cazacu (7-11, 4-11, 11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9).
Similarly, for Frenchman Jules Rolland, Spain’s Carlos Franco and Sweden’s Anthony Tran as well as for Thailand’s Supanut Wisutmaythangkoon, six names were needed in order reserve main draw places.
Jules Rolland beat Japan’s Fumiya Igarashi (5-11, 11-6, 13-11, 12-10, 5-11, 14-12), Carlos France overcame Puerto Rico’s Daniel Gonzalez (13-11, 11-13, 11-6, 11-6, 12-14, 11-7); likewise in equally tense duels Anthony Tran defeated Spain’s Miguel Vilchez (11-4, 11-9, 10-12, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8), whilst Supanut Wisutmaythangkoon halted the aspirations of Rajko Gommers of the Netherlands (11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9, 10-12, 11-9).
“I played some tough matches, but I reached my goal. I am happy to get to the main draw. Tomorrow I will play a seeded player and it will be very difficult.” Supanut Wisutmaythangkoon
Worthy performances and likewise there were performances to note in both the Men’s Doubles and Women’s Doubles qualification tournament.
In the Women’s Doubles event Switzerland’s Rahel Aschwanden and Céline Reust beat Hungary’s Mercedes Nagyvaradi and Szandra Pergel (11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7) to reserve their main draw place; as somewhat contrary to expectations did the partnership formed by Hungary’s Krisztina Ambrus and Austria’s Karoline Mischek. They progressed courtesy of success in opposition to Alina Arlouskaya and Alina Nikitchanka of Belarus (11-6, 9-11, 12-10, 11-6).
Meanwhile, in the Men’s Doubles event contrary to expectations Paraguay’s Marcelo Aguirre and Argentina’s Rodrigo Gilabert combined to overcome England’s David McBeath and Sam Walker by the very narrowest of decisions (11-4, 7-11, 6-11, 11-6, 13-11).
Similarly Spain’s Carlos Franco and Miguel Vilchez raised the eyebrows; they beat Germany’s Benedikt Duda and Qiu Dang (7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 12-10).
Main draw places booked and most notably there was one for the host nation.Thibaut Darcis and Lauric Jean rose to the occasion; they beat Luxembourg’s Eric Clod and Luka Mladenovic in the final Men’s Doubles qualification round.
