by Ian Marshall, Editor

Defeat for Yuki Shimoyama but it was his colleagues who were responsible for the surprises. Takeshi Atsuya caused the biggest upset of the round by overcoming Rajko Gommers of the Netherlands, the no.3 seed (8-11, 3-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-9, 11-6); not far behind in the surprise stakes, Ryohei Kanoya overcame the host nation’s Ma Jinbao, the no.9 seed (11-1, 9-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 12-10).

Surprise outcomes but not in the one remaining quarter-final Men’s Singles contest; again involving Japan but, as with Yuki Shimoyama, it was defeat; Koji Uezu suffered at the hands of Germany’s Tobias Hippler, the no.5 seed, in a full distance seven games engagement (11-9, 11-6, 10-12, 4-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-3).

At the quarter-final stage Ryohei Kanoya meets Takeshi Atsuya; Eugene Wang opposes Tobias Hippler.

Success for Tobias Hippler at the quarter-final stage of the Men’s Singles event but not in the counterpart Under 21 Men’s Singles competition, where the round of the last eight produced upset after upset; notably players from the host nation reserving semi-final places.

Tobias Hippler, the top seed, suffered at the hands of Zhang Kai (5-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-9), colleague Gerritt Engeman, the no.2 seed, lost to Tian Ye (11-13, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7, 13-11). Likewise, Ma Jinbao, the no.3 seed and from the United States, was beaten by Kaden Xu in a five games full distance duel determined by the narrowest of margins (11-8, 11-6, 7-11, 7-11, 13-11); meanwhile, colleague Nicholas Tio, the no.5 seed, followed suit, Michael Tan ended adventures (15-13, 8-11, 14-12, 12-10).

Michael Tran now meet Tian Ye in the penultimate round, Zhang Kai faces Kaden Xu.

Play concludes in Orlando on Saturday 22nd December.

2018 United States Open: Seeding and Results

2018 United States Open: Feature articles by Matt Hetherington and Richard Finn