by Ian Marshall, Editor
Occupying the no.29 seeded position in the competition, Cho Daeseong, who will celebrate his 16th birthday six days hence, beat Thailand’s Yanapong Panagitgun, the no.13 seed, in four games straight (11-5, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6), to cause one of two upsets as play began in the Men’s Singles event.
The other was that caused by Jann Mari Nayre of the Philippines, the no.31 seed, he accounted for .Chile’s Nicolas Burgos, the no.14 seed, in a five games encounter (11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-8).
Otherwise it was success for the leading names as authority was asserted.
Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto, the top seed, set the day in motion by beating Australia’s Ben Gould, the no.18 seed (11-4, 11-3, 11-1, 11-5); likewise, Kanak Jha, the no.2 seed from the United States, overcame Austria’s Maciej Kolodziejczyk, the no.17 seed (11-5, 11-5, 11- 12-10). Good form, it was the same from Sweden’s Truls Moregard, he doused Argentine hopes. He overcame Martin Bentancor, the no.20 seed (11-4, 11-13, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5).
“I was a little nervous at the start, but as the match progressed I relaxed and played better. I think I’ll give myself seven out of ten for my opening match. We have been here for six days, I’m more used to the environment here, and have overcame the jetlag.” Tomokazu Harimoto
Similarly, Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yun-Ju, the no.4 seed, accounted for Russia’s Vladimir Sidorenko (12-10, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9), India’s Manav Vikash Thakkar, the no.5 seed, defeated Lithuania’s Medardas Stankievicius, the no.22 seed (11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-3, 11-5).
“It was a very good match, I was nervous at the start because it’s such a mega event, it’s the Youth Olympics and I was a bit scared and nervous, playing passively, but at two-two, my coach motivated me a lot. The last wo games I played very well, I was confident and aggressive, I played good strokes and had good placement. Fortunately I eventually won four-two . India has been doing very well, obviously there is pressure to perform but it’s more good motivation. I will continue try my best to perform and win medals for my country.” Manav Vikash Thakkar
Not to be upstaged, China’s Wang Chuqin, the no.6 seed, made his presence felt. He prevailed against Moldova’s Vladimir Ursu, the no.21 seed (11-9, 11-3, 11-9, 11-7).
Play continues later in the day in the initial phase of the Men’s Singles event.
