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ITTF Challenge

2018 ITTF Challenge, Polish Open

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Challenge Series

Down to earth, surprise opening round defeat for Sathiyan Gnanasekaran

15 Mar 2018

In Doha, the previous week at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Qatar Open, he had been one of the players of the tournament, in an event that attracted the majority of the very best on planet earth, he had delighted those who came to watch as he progressed to the last 16.

Now one week later on Thursday 15th March, for India’s Sathiyan Gnanasekaran at the 2018 ITTF Challenge Series Polish Open in Spala, it was back down to earth; the no.7 seed, he was beaten in the opening round by Chile’s Felipe Olivares (11-7, 5-11, 5-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-9).

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Success for Felipe Olivares by the very narrowest of margins, the 25 year old being the master of winning the seventh game; earlier in the group stage of proceedings, he had emerged successful in full distance duels. He beat Denmark’s Andreas Dilling (9-11, 5-11, 11-2, 9-11, 14-12, 11-7, 11-6) and Belgium’s Laurens Devos (6-11, 6-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 12-10) to secure first place in his group.

Defeat for India and there was one more disappointment for the south Asian country as play in the top of the Men’s Singles opening round advanced. Soumyajit Ghosh, the no.12 seed was beaten by Germany’s Qiu Dang (11-8, 11-6, 7-11, 13-11, 11-9).

Not the best of times for India but Sharath Kamal Achanta, the no.9 seed Sanil Shetty, the no.14 seed, balanced matters. Both beat Polish adversaries, Sharath Kamal Achanta accounted for Artur Grela (11-6, 14-16, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7), Sanil Shetty recovered from a three games to one deficit to end the hopes of Robert Floras (13-11, 8-11, 6-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-4).

“The beginning of the match was good; then I had a problem with the receive of service. Robert’s services made me uncomfortable. Later I managed to find answers. I played faster and it paid off. I’m in the next round. I feel very good. I have had the opportunity to play in the Polish League. I know many players who play here. I have always felt good here. I won the first match so it will give me confidence.” Sanil Shetty

Mixed fortunes for India, it was the same for France. Abdel-Kader Salifou, the no.20 seed, was beaten by Japan’s Masaki Takami (11-6, 11-4, 11-3, 8-11, 5-11, 11-6); conversely, Antoine Hachard ousted Korea’s Kim Donghyun, the no.29 seed (8-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-9).

Four upsets as play commenced in the opening round of the Men’s Singles event and there was one more; Canada’s Eugene Wang beat the Czech Republic’s Lubomir Pistej, the no.25 seed (12-10, 9-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-6).

Problems for Sathiyan Gnanasekaran but for the remaining leading names in the top half of the Men’s Singles draw it was success; Korea’s Lee Sangsu, the top seed, beat Italy’s Niagol Stoyanov (12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-3, 11-5), also from Korea, Jang Woojin, the no.4 seed, overcame the Czech Republic’s Tomas Tregler (11-8, 16-14, 11-4, 12-10). Meanwhile, not to be outdone, Hong Kong’s Jiang Tianyi ended the hopes of Sweden’s Harald Andersson (11-8, 15-13, 11-9, 6-11, 7-11, 11-9).

Play in the second round will be held later in the day.

Challenge Series 2018 Polish Open Sathiyan Gnanasekaran

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