by Ian Marshall, Editor
In the opening match in the group he was beaten in five games by Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yan-Cheng (11-9, 2-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7), before in his next contest accounting for Hong Kong’s Shih Wing Hang by a similar margin to which he had experienced defeat (11-4, 11-7, 6-11, 6-11, 11-7).
The future out of his hands, in the concluding match, Shih Wing Hang beat Huang Yan-Cheng; moreover, he won in five games (4-11, 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4).
Thus each player had one win and one defeat against their names; furthermore, they were level on games ratio. Thus points ratio decided; the end result by narrow margins, it was first place for Payas Jain (92:82), followed by Shih Wing Hang (83:85) and Huang Yan-Cheng (82:90).
First place as anticipated but there were surprise pole positions; the Japanese duo of Ryoichi Yoshiyama and Hiroto Shinozuka, alongside Sid Naresh of the United States being the players to upset the odds. All remained unbeaten, all accounted for the highest rated player in their respective groups.
Ryoichi Yoshiyama beat China’s Zhu Jiaqi, the no.5 seed (5-11, 13-11, 11-9, 11-9), Hiroto Shinozuka overcame Hong Kong’s Yu Nok, the no.7 seed (11-6, 11-7, 11-5), whilst Sid Naresh defeated Thailand’s Chetthanabodi Chanpen, the no.14 seeds (12-10, 5-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9).
Defeats for seeded players but their only defeat thus progress to the main draw.