by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

In January he was on duty at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open in Budapest, he finished in second place in his group behind Quentin Robinot of France and thus did not progress to the main draw.

More recently in March, it was the same scenario; in the group phase of proceedings at the 2018 ITTF Challenge Polish Open in Spala, he ended matters next in line to Japan’s Kohei Sambe.

A shock defeat for Ho Kwan Kit, it was the same for his colleague, Lam Siu Hang; the no.3 seed, he was beaten by Portuguese qualifier, Diogo Carvalho (11-9, 11-13, 11-2, 12-10, 4-11, 11-9). Similarly, Kwan Man Ho departed in round two; he lost to fellow qualifier, Portugal’s Diogo Chen (11-6, 11-9, 11-1, 11-8).

Not the best of news for Hong Kong but Ng Pak Nam, the no.5 seed and qualifier Li Hon Ming to some extent saved the day for the Special Administrative Region of China. Ng Pak Nam beat Thailand’s Supanut Wisutmaythangkoon, the no.22 seed (10-12, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6, 6-11, 11-6); Li Hon Ming accounted for fellow qualifier, the host nation’s Endika Diez (9-11, 7-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-5, 11-7).

Equally it was not the best of news for the host nation. Defeat for Endika Diez, there was also defeat for colleague Jesus Cantero as Spanish hopes came to an end, the 36 year old pen-holder was beaten by Frenchman, Abdel-Kader Salifou, the no.6 seed (7-11, 13-15, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5, 12-10).

The third round of the Men’s Singles event plus quarter-finals and semi-finals will be enacted on Saturday 31st March.