by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Korea’s Joo Youngdae, silver medallist at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, the top seed in Class 1 is through to the final; whilst his colleagues Cha Sooyong (Class 2) and Kim Youngun (Class 4) have semi-final places reserved.
Likewise, the host nation’s Feng Panfeng (Class 3) and Cao Ninging (Class 5) have successfully reached the penultimate round.
However, there are unexpected names in contention for honours. In Class 2, Iran’s Hassan Janfeshan is a surprise semi-finalist, as in Class 3 is Thailand’s Yuttajak Glinbanchuen.
Hassan Janfeshan finished unbeaten in first place in his group ahead of Japan’s Nobuhiro Minami, the no.4 seed, before at the quarter-final stage ousting Korea’s Lee Jun Gil (11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 6-11, 11-6). In a similar vein, Yuttajak Glinbanchuen, topped his group ahead of China’s Zhai Xiang, the no.3 seed, prior to recording a quarter-final success in opposition to Korea’s Baek Youngbok (11-4, 11-9, 11-9).
Defeat for Zhai Xiang in the group phase when facing Yuttajak Glinbanchuen (11-8, 13-11, 11-8) but at the quarter-final stage it was success; he beat Korea’s Kim Junsung (11-7, 5-11, 11-5, 14-12).
“It was really a close match. It was difficult. I think Kim Junsung is of a similar level to me. He uses long pimpled rubber like me; I wasn’t nervous before the match but when I had match point I became nervous. After I lost yesterday I was concerned but I tried to put the loss out of my mind and concentrate on the next match.” Zhai Xiang
Similarly, in Class 4, Kim Junggil, having finished in first place in his group ahead of China’s Shi Yanping and Thailand’s Wanchai Chaiwut, the no.4 seed, reserved his penultimate round place courtesy of success against Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-Hsin (11-5, 11-7, 11-7).
Meanwhile, in Class 5, contrary to expectations, China’s Zhan Dashun who secured top spot in his group ahead of Lin Heng-Ying, the no.2 seed, beat Iran’s Mahdi Rezazadehghowaghlow (11-6, 11-5, 11-6) to book his semi-final place.
Play in the Men’s Singles events concludes on Monday 28th August.
2017 Asian Para Championships: Future Matches and Results