by Ian Marshall, Editor

First place in his initial stage group, no current world ranking, Shodai Miyagawa caused the biggest shock. Moreover, once again he displayed his distinct liking for Belgium.

A direct entry to the second round; following success against fellow qualifier, the Korea Republic’s Park Minjun (11-4, 12-10, 9-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-5), he beat Adrien Rassenfosse, the no.5 seed, succeeding in a closely contested seven games duel (11-13, 8-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8).

Thus he repeated the success of the opening day of play. In the group stage of the junior boys’ team event, in a 3-2 defeat against Belgium, he had been his team’s only winner. In full distance five games contests, he had accounted for Olav Kosolosky (11-7, 12-14, 10-12, 11-8, 11-5) and Adrien Rassenfosse (11-9, 11-5, 7-11, 6-11, 11-4).

A third round place contrary to expectations for the 18 year old from the Land of the Rising Sun, he was not alone. Problems for Belgium, there were also problems for India. Javen Choong accounted for Raegan Albuquerque, the no.12 seed (6-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-6, 12-10), Lau Chun Nok overcame Payas Jain, the no.16 seed (9-11, 6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-7, 4-11, 11-7).

Somewhat differently, Park Gyeongtae reserved his place by beating in-form qualifier Dominic Koh Song Jun (11-6, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10, 11-1), the second round winner in opposition to Singaporean colleague, Gerald Yu Zong Jun, the no.10 seed (12-14, 11-6, 11-7, 11-5, 12-10).

Success against Singapore, it was the same for Yu Nok; after overcoming Puerto Rico’s Angel Naranjo, the no.14 seed (11-8, 11-8, 4-11, 5-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9), he ousted Izaac Quek Yong (11-6, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5).

Disappointment for Singapore but there was good news, Pang Yew En Koen, the top seed, recovered from a three games to one deficit to beat China’s Xie Congfan by the narrowest of margins (13-11, 10-12, 7-11, 10-12, 11-9, 13-11, 13-11) to reserve his fourth round place.

Rather less dramatically, India’s Manush Utpalbhai Shah, the no.2 seed, overcame the host nation’s Chettanabodi Chanpen (11-9, 11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 9-11, 11-4), China’s Liu Yebo, the no.3 seed, accounted for Singapore’s Beh Kun Ting (15-13, 13-11, 11-6, 8-11, 8-11, 11-6). Not to be left out, amongst the leading names, Olav Kosolosky, the no.4 seed, was very much a young man in form; he redressed the balance for Belgium. He ended the hopes of China’s Huang Youzheng (11-9, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8).

Play in Bangkok at the SET 2019 Thailand Junior and Cadet Open concludes on Sunday 19th May.