by Ian Marshall, Editor

The lowest ranked players in their respective groups, Patrik Klos and Ioannis Sgouropoulos both ended the day in first places.

Patrik Klos finished ahead of Romania’s Rares Sipos, the no.7 seed, with Poland’s Maciej Kubik and Sweden’s Simon Soderlund in respective third and fourth places. Meanwhile, Ioannis Sgouropoulos concluded the day unbeaten. Germany’s Tobias Hippler, the no.6 seed, finished in second spot pursued by Moldova’s Andrei Putuntica and Italy’s Antonino Amato.

Players finishing in first and second positions in each group progressing to the main draw, at the start of the day the odds did not favour Gerritt Engemann; he commenced matters the third highest rated in his group but ended the day in top spot. He reserved first position ahead of Russia’s Artur Abusev, Slovenia’s Peter Hribar and Aliaksandr Khanin of Belarus, the no.5 seed and favourite for top spot.

Fourth place in the group and thus journey’s end for Aliaksandr Khanin, it was the same for Austria’s Andreas Levenko, the top seed. He finished the day behind Poland’s Tomas Kotowski, Belgium’s Thibaut Darcis and Uladzislau Rukliatsou of Belarus.

No place in the main draw, Jiri Martinko, the no.8 seed, suffered the same fate on what was despite the efforts of Patrik Klos not necessarily the best of days for the Czech Republic. Jiri Martinko finished behind Russia’s Vladimir Sidorenko and Belgium’s Laurens Devos. Likewise, it was third place and farewell for Tomas Polansky, the defending champion; he ended the day next in line to Romania’s Cristian Pletea and Poland’s Samuel Kulczycki.

First place in the group for Cristian Pletea; it was anticipated; he commenced matters as the no.3 seed. Similarly, Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic, the no.2 seed and Belgium’s Florian Cnudde, the no.7 seed, justified their status to top their respective groups.

Play in the opening round and quarter-finals of the men’s singles and men’s doubles events will be held on Saturday 9th March.