by Ian Marshall, Editor

After Laurens Devos had beaten Romania’s Paul Maldin (11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-2), Olav Kosolosky overcame India’s Siddesh Pande (8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 14-12). Presently on the Under 21 Men’s World Rankings, Siddesh Pande, 20 years old, is named at no.87, Olov Kosolosky at no.224.

Thus the goal he set at the start of the tournament to book a place in the main draw was achieved; furthermore, as well as being a significant upset, it was also a major confidence booster for the teenager.
The previous day in the second round preliminary round of the Men’s Singles event he had been narrowly beaten by Spain’s Carlos Franco in seven games (3-11, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8, 11-5).

“It was a nice revenge for my loss yesterday. I played very good against Carlos Franco but lost by a very narrow margin. I was disappointed. Today, my good feeling came back. I was happy to beat the Indian player after a fierce battle. Now I have no goal anymore, I will only look at the following match.” Olav Kosolosky

Success for Olav Kosolosky, a young man who is no stranger to success; in 2017 competing in Cadet Boys’ Singles events on the ITTF World Junior Circuit, he was a quarter-finalist in Spain, the winner on home soil in Spa. Furthermore at the European Youth Championships, he advanced to the round of the last eight.

However, this year in the junior age group category, he has yet to make his presence felt. Could the win against Siddesh Pande provide the springboard to success at more senior levels?

Progress to the main draw for Laurens Devos and Olav Kosolosky; for colleagues with the same goal it was defeat. Valentin Pieraert was beaten by Italy’s Matteo Mutti (11-4, 11-5, 11-7), Jeet Chandra balanced the books for India, he overcame Nicolas Degros in a five games contest determined by the minimal two point margin (12-10, 11-5, 10-12, 8-11, 11-9).

Qualification concluded; the main draw of the Under 21 Men’s Singles event commences matters on Thursday 25th October.