by Ian Marshall, Editor
Success for Hwang Minha, notably as the Men’s Singles third preliminary round progressed, there were also successes for colleagues Jeong Sangeun, Jang Woojin and Park Ganghyeon.
A clean sweep of titles earlier this year on home soil at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Korea Open, Jang Woojin emerged successful by the very narrowest of margins; eventually he overcame England’s Paul Drinkhall (9-11, 11-3, 12-10, 11-7, 6-11, 6-11, 11-9).
Similarly, Park Gangyheon, who last month secured the Men’s Singles title at the ITTF Challenge Belgium Open booked his preliminary fourth round place, he overcame Germany’s Benedikt Duda (11-13, 11-6, 11-6, 11-1, 11-8). Meanwhile, not to be overshadowed, Jeong Sangeun ended the hopes of Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic (11-6, 14-12, 12-10, 6-11, 10-12, 3-11, 11-7).
However for Jeoung Youngsik, Lim Jonghoon and Cho Seungmin, there were notable defeats. Jeoung Youngsik was beaten by Italy’s Niagol Stoyanov in a tension packed seven games duel (8-11, 11-7, 3-11, 11-7, 4-11, 11-8, 14-12), Lim Jonghoon lost to Russia’s Alexander Shibaev (11-8, 11-13, 11-6, 8-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-4).
Similarly, Cho Seungmin experienced a reversal of fortunes. Last week in Stockholm, he had beaten Japan’s Koyo Kanamitsu in the final of the Under 21 Men’s Singles event, in Linz the decision was reversed; Koyo Kanamitsu prevailed in six games (11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 18-16, 11-4).
Fine performance that caught the eye as the third preliminary round concluded; likewise Chinese Taipei’s Chen Chien-An and Lin Yun-Ju attracted the attention but for different reasons. Chen Chien-An experienced a surprise defeat at the hands of Belgium’s Cédric Nuytinck (11-8, 11-9, 5-11, 6-11, 12-10, 14-10). Conversely, Lin Yu-Ju beat Croatia’s Andrej Gacina by the very narrowest of decisions (11-5, 8-11, 8-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 14-12).
Defeats for leading names as the lower half of the draw concluded but for one name of note there was success; Germany’s Ruwen Filus ended the hopes of Spain’s Diogo Carvalho (11-6, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9).
Play in the fourth preliminary round of the Men’s Singles event will be conducted later in the day.
