by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
First place in his initial stage group the previous day when beating compatriot Anukran Jain, the no.6 seed (11-8, 11-6, 11-8), Soham Bhattacharya maintained his good form; a direct entry to the second round, he secured his last eight place courtesy of success in opposition to Payas Jain (11-3, 11-8, 11-9, 12-10).
Second place was the end result in the group stage of proceedings for Anukran Jain; it was the same in the main draw. After beating colleague, Yasansh Malik (11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-3), he was beaten by Singapore’s Pan Yew En Koen, the no.8 seed (13-11, 11-6, 8-11, 12-10, 11-4).
Success for Pan Yew En Koen means that he is one of two non-host nation players to reach the quarter-finals of the Junior Boys’ Singles event. The other is Thailand’s Yanapong Panagitgun, the no.2 seed, he reserved his place in the last eight courtesy of success in opposition to India’s Jayabrata Bhattacharjee.
At the quarter-final stage Jayabrata Bhattacharjee meets Manav Vikash Thakkar, Manush Utpalbhai Shah faces Parth Virmani; in the opposite half of the draw Snehit Suravajjula confronts Pam Yew En Koen, Jeet Chandra opposes Yanapong Panagitgun.
A place in the quarter-finals of the Junior Boys’ Singles event for Pang Yew En Koen; in counterpart Cadet Boys’ Singles competition, on the penultimate day of play, he duly reserved his semi-final place, a round where the remaining three positions are occupied by Indian players.
The one surprise penultimate round name is that of India’s Lalremruata Alberto; in the opening round he beat Korea’s Yu Seokhoon, the player the previous day who had caused an upset by beating Yashansh Malik, the no.4 seed (13-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-7) and had thus reserved top spot in the group. A quarter-final place secured, Lalremruata Alberto accounted for Chinmaya Somaiya, also from India (11-2, 11-5, 11-6) to reserve his semi-final place.
Meanwhile, for Yashansh Malik, it was better news than the previous day. He overcame Payas Jain, the third seed, at the quarter-final stage to reserve his last four place.
In a quest for a place in the final, Pang Yew En Koen meets Yashansh Malik, Lalremruata Alberto opposes Himnakulhpuingheta Jeho, the no.2 seed.
Play concludes in Greater Noida on Wednesday 1st November.
