Success for Turkey

Mixed Doubles – Preliminary Round One

Just one match on the schedule in the opening preliminary round; it was success for Turkey and success in style.

Ibrahim Gündüz and Sibel Altinkaya beat Slovakia’s Wang Yang and Tatiana Kukulkova (11-5, 11-8, 11-6).

Responding to challenge

Men’s Singles – Qualification – Round Two

Success earlier this year on the Seamaster 2019 ITTF Challenge Series, Denmark’s Zhai Yujia who won the men’s singles title in Spain and Portugal’s João Geraldo who partnered Diogo Carvalho to men’s doubles success in Serbia, survived testing second preliminary round encounters.

João Geraldo beat Korea Republic’s Kim Minhyeok (7-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-5, 6-11, 16-14, 11-6); Zhai Yujia overcame Russia’s Kirill Skachkov (11-7, 11-13, 11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 12-14, 11-3). Also, there was a close call for Germany’s Benedikt Duda; he was severely examined by Park Ganghyeon, like Kim Minhyeok from Korea Republic (8-11, 16-14, 11-6, 6-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9).

Korea Republic by narrow margins

Men’s Singles – Qualification – Round Two

Success for Korea Republic’s Lim Jonghoon and Kim Daewoo, both booked third preliminary round places but only just.

Lim Jonghoon needed the full seven games to beat Russia’s Vildan Gadiev (8-11, 13-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-4); likewise Kim Daewoo was tested by Kanak Jha of the United States (11-9, 6-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-9, 12-10, 12-10).

Budapest bronze medallist departs

Men’s Singles – Qualification – Round Two

An unexpected bronze medal at the recent Liebherr 2019 World Championships, in Shenzhen it was a second round qualification exit for Korea Republic’s An Jaehyun; he was beaten by experience, by Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus (8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 14-12, 11-9).

“I think I played really well, especially as this was my first match after a long trip; when I saw the draw, I am now really happy because I watched him play in the semi-finals at the World Championships. I watched a few of his matches and tried to come up with some tactics; of course, tactics do not help if you are not in a good shape. I played surprisingly well today.” Vladimir Samsonov

Subtle changes

Men’s Singles – Qualification – Round Two

Making changes at the crucial time and then maintaining focus; such were the qualities exhibited by Frenchman Tristan Flore in the second qualification round. Eventually, he overcame DPR Korea’s Han Yu Song (11-4, 11-9, 8-11, 8-11, 8-11, 11-6, 13-11).

“It was a tough and long match. I was 2-0 leading but then he took the next three games. My choice was to change my serve a little bit and play more towards his backhand. He got a bit stressed and also I made very good serve in the end. I am very happy about this match. I hope I can go as far as I can. You know it is like the World Championships here, I will try my best and continue.” Tristan Flore

Life on the knife edge

Men’s Singles – Qualification – Round Two

India’s Sathiyan Gnanasekaran lived life on the proverbial knife-edge; in round two he saved two match points before eventually beating Sweden’s Anton Källberg (8-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 8-11, 12-10).

“It was a great match. I knew Anton was a good player, he just won the Croatia Open and was in good form. Today I was well prepared and started really well. I made a good start but I think then he played much more aggressively; his serve became much better then I had some problems with his serve. I knew I had to keep focusing and keep being aggressive. In the decider, I kept calm and trusted myself. It was a good win, two match points down. I think this is a good start to China Open and I hope I can go further.” Sathiyan Gnanasekaran

Narrow decisions

Women’s Singles – Qualification – Round One

Brazil’s Gui Lin and DPR Korea’s Kim Junju won the closest matches of the round, both succeeded in seven game encounters.

Gui Lin beat Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Yin-Chen (5-11, 11-3, 11-9, 6-11, 6-11, 12-10, 11-9): Kim Junju eventually overcame Japan’s Maki Shiomi (11-13, 11-8, 6-11, 11-5, 14-12, 12-14, 11-5).

World junior champion thoroughly efficient

Women’s Singles – Qualification – Round One

Winner of the girls’ singles title at the 2018 World Junior Championships in Bendigo, the host nation’s Qian Tianyi made a most impressive start to her campaign. She beat Hong Kong’s Li Ching Wan in straight games (11-5, 11-6, 11-6, 11-4).

Also most imposing was DPR Korea’s Cha Su Yong; she accounted for Spain’s Galia Dvorak in a similar manner (11-9, 11-5, 11-4, 12-10).

Successful start for Chiang Hung-Chieh

Men’s Singles – Qualification – Round One

Married to Ai Fukuhara, a family man with two children, Chinese Taipei’s Chiang Hung-Chieh made a successful start to his campaign; he recorded and opening round win against Hong Kong’s Kwan Man Ho (11-3, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-6).

“I have not played World Tour for quite a long time; this was my first match here and I think I was a bit unable to catch the match rhythm. I have a different feeling in training than when competing. I still need some time to get used to the match rhythm. Ai just told me to play my best. She did not say that “you have to win” or something. She let me to relax and enjoy the match. Now, I spent half of my time on family and half on training. If I stay at home, then I will do home stuff; if I go to training, then I will focus on training.” Chiang Hung-Chieh

Back to earth

Men’s Singles – Qualification – Round One

The runner up two days ago in Bangkok at the Seamaster 2019 ITTF Challenge Thailand Open it was back down to earth for the Korea Republic’s Seo Hyundoek. In the opening round he was beaten by Portugal’s Diogo Carvalho (9-11, 3-11, 11-8, 11-4, 4-11, 11-5, 11-6).

Likewise there was defeat for colleague Kang Dongsoo, he was beaten by Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy (11-7, 11-6, 13-11, 15-13). Disappointment for the Korea Republic but there was success; Hwang Minha beat Senegal’s Ibrahim Diaw (11-4, 10-12, 11-8, 7-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6).

Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour Platinum China Open: Monday 13th June: Schedule of Play – Tuesday 28th & Wednesday 29th May