by Ian Marshall, Editor
Benedikt Duda, named at no.46 on the current world rankings beat Korea Republic’s Lee Sangsu, listed at no.18 (11-8, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9, 3-11, 11-9) to reserve his place in the main draw.
Outstanding from Benedikt Duda, it was the same from Aliaksandr Khanin; standing at no.146, he accounted for Denmark’s Anders Lind (12-10, 11-9, 6-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-5) and Romania’s Ovidiu Ionescu (11-4, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 7-11, 4-11, 11-7). On the current world rankings, Anders Lind is at no.103, Ovidiu Ionescu at no.63.
Excelling expectations, it was the same for Mizuki Oikawa, ranked no.99. He ousted Germany’s Qiu Dang, listed at no.93 (11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8, 5-11, 10-12, 11-9) to reserve his main event berth.
Swedish Open champion departs
Similarly, Zhou Yu, who stands at no.112 and Zhao Zihao at no.41, raised the eyebrows. In the concluding preliminary round Zhou Yu beat Russia’s Alexander Shibaev (11-7, 11-6, 7-11, 12-10, 11-6); Zhao Zihao overcame colleague, Wang Chuqin the winner earlier this year in the first week of October in Sweden. On the current world rankings, Alexander Shibaev stands at no.57, Wang Chuqin at no.15.
Surprise qualifiers and there were more; Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic, Germany’s Ruwen Filus, alongside Japan’s Maharu Yoshimura and Korea Republic’s An Jaehyun all reserved places in the main event contrary to status.
Unexpected names advance
Meanwhile, in the women’s singles qualification tournament, according to ranking, China’s Zhang Rui and Qian Tianyi in addition to Korea Republic’s Choi Hyojoo were the major unexpected names to advance.
In the concluding preliminary round, listed at no.73 on the current order of merit, Zhang Rui accounted for Germany’s Shan Xiaona, named at to no.65 (7-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-5, 11-2); at no.71 Qian Tianyi beat Wu Yue of the United States at no.37 (11-5, 11-7, 11-8, 14-12). Likewise, Choi Hyojoo ended the hopes of Japan’s Saki Shibata (11-6, 11-9, 11-6, 11-8). Presently Choi Hyojoo is listed at no.68, Saki Shibata at no.30.
Impressive from young aspiring players, it was the same from Monaco’s 31 year old Yang Xiaoxin. Following success against Romania’s Elizabeta Samara, the 2015 European champion (11-6 11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5), she accounted for Slovakia’s Barbora Balazova (11-5, 11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 11-9) to reserve her main draw place. On the current world rankings, Yang Xiaoxin is at no.57, Elizabeta Samara at no.28, Barbora Balazova at no.41.
Unexpected there were more in the preliminary rounds of the women’s singles event; China’s Gu Yuting, Germany’s Nina Mittelham and Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Hsien-Tzu topped booked main draw places against the odds, as did the Japanese duo of Miyuu Kihara and Minami Ando.
England in evidence
Surprise outcomes, in the final preliminary round of both the men’s doubles and women’s doubles events, the second highest rated pairs experienced defeat; England very much in evidence.
In the former Paul Drinkhall and Sam Walker beat Korea Republic’s An Jaehyun and Jang Woojin (8-11, 4-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6); in the latter Tin-Tin Ho partnered Austria’s Karoline Mischek to success against Poland’s Natalia Bajor and Natalia Partyka (9-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-6).
The main event commences on Thursday 14th November.
