by Ian Marshall, Editor

Presently listed at no.225 on the Men’s World Rankings, he beat Hong Kong’s Ho Kwan Kit, named at no.47; impressively Enzo Angles recorded a five games win (11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7). The win means first place in the group, for Ho Kwan Kit it is journey’s end.

“I feel great, I always knew I had a chance if I played well. I will take it easy because my leg is a little bit injured. It is good to be in the next round and I will prepare well.” Enzo Angles

Undoubtedly, a fine performance from Enzo Angles but as matters commenced on the second day of Men’s Singles qualification, pride of place went to the host nation’s Jeong Sangeun; in order to secure first place in his group he needed to beat China’s Zhou Qihao in six games or better.

He kept his supporters on the very edges of their seats; he won in six games (15-13, 13-11, 6-11, 11-4, 8-11, 13-11). The previous day he had lost to Japan’s Yuta Tanaka in seven games (6-11, 9-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-8), who in the opening contest had experienced defeat at the hands of Zhou Qihao in six games (11-8, 11-5, 11-8, 5-11, 7-11, 11-8).

Thus games ratio prevailed; it was first place for Jeong Sangeun (7:6), followed by Zhou Qihao (6:6) and Yuta Tanaka (6:7).

A close call for Jeong Sangeun, the second highest rated player on qualification stage duty; facing Japanese compatriots and hitherto unbeaten there were nervous moments for Masaki Yoshida and Yuya Oshima, likewise prominent amongst the leading names on preliminary phase duty.

Masaki Yoshida was stretched to the limit by Koyo Kanamitsu (18-20, 9-11, 11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6, 12-10); similarly, Yuya Oshima needed the full seven games to beat Shunsuke Togami (11-4, 11-4, 10-12, 9-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7).

First place in the group secured, it was the same in their concluding matches for the other leading names on duty but in less tense circumstances.

China’s Fang Bo beat Singapore’s Ethan Poh Shao Feng (11-3, 11-9, 11-8, 11-2); Chinese Taipei’s Chen Chien-An defeated India’s Manav Vikash Thakkar (11-3, 12-10, 11-8, 7-11, 7-11, 11-9).

Success for noteworthy visitors; in addition to Jeong Sangeun there were imposing host nation successes to secure first places. Jang Woojin accounted for Germany’s Patrick Bam (11-4, 11-1, 11-9, 12-10): Cho Seungmin ended the hopes of Japan’s Kohei Sambe (11-7, 4-11, 10-12, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6).

The Men’s Singles qualification tournament concludes later in the day.