by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager
Laurens Devos accounted for Poland’s Przemyslaw Walaszek by the very narrowest of possible five game margins in a titanic contest (11-4, 11-6, 8-11, 8-11, 17-15), prior to overcoming Austria’s Thomas Grininger, the highest rated player in the group. in an equally hard fought full distance duel (11-7, 10-12, 11-13, 11-5, 11-9).
Meanwhile, more comfortably Olav Kosolosky accounted for (Poland’s Kacper Petas (11-9, 10-12, 12-10, 11-8) and Austria’s Narayan Kapolnek (12-10, 11-5, 10-12, 11-9); like Thomas Grininger, Narayan Kapolnek was the highest rated name in the group.
Similarly both Andreas Dilling and Chen Shuainan concluded their initial phase encounters by defeating the highest ranked name in their respective groups.
Following success against Slovenia’s Peter Hribar (11-5, 11-5, 7-11, 11-5), Andreas Dilling overcame Poland’s Artur Grela (11-8, 6-11, 11-6, 11-4): likewise Chen Shuainan accounted for Tomasz Tomaszuk (13-11, 11-13, 11-4, 11-8), like Artur Grela from Poland, prior to defeating Egypt’s Aly Ghallab (11-9, 2-11, 11-7, 11-9).
Surprise defeats and it was almost the same for the top name on first stage duty; Russia’s Vadimir Sidorenko was stretched to the very limit by Ukraine’s Vsevolod Broiankovskyi, only emerging successful by the very minimum two point margin the deciding fifth game (7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 5-11, 13-11).
A close call for the top name, for the next in line, life was less dramatic; the host nation’s Tomasz Kotowski beat Tyurese Knight of Barbados in four games (11-2, 14-12, 8-11, 11-9).
Proceedings in the qualification stage of the Under 21 Men’s Singles event conclude on Wednesday 14th March.
