Alexandre Cassin’s fine run draws to a halt
Men’s Singles – Preliminary Round 3
One of the stars of the two-day qualification tournament, but Alexandre Cassin has finally been stopped in Magdeburg with China’s Zhao Zihao battling past the Frenchman in straight games (11-5, 11-5, 11-8, 11-6).
Elsewhere, Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic has overcome a major hurdle in the final session of the day, fighting back from 1-3 down to beat Anton Kallberg 4-3 (8-11, 11-6, 5-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 12-10).
United States hopefuls miss out
Women’s Singles – Preliminary Round 3
It’s the end of the road for Lily Zhang and Wu Yue after the United States competitors suffered defeat in their respective fixtures against Qian Tianyi (11-4, 11-13, 11-9, 11-4, 11-8) and Zeng Jian (11-5, 11-5, 11-6, 11-6).
There was, however, a win for the South American continent to enjoy as Brazil’s Bruna Takahashi booked her spot in the main event with victory over Stephanie Loeuillette (11-4, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7, 3-11, 12-10).
Stunning display from Yang Xiaoxin
Women’s Singles – Preliminary Round 3
Another big result to bring you from the women’s singles qualification race with Monaco’s Yang Xiaoxin coming out on top in a scintillating encounter with Japanese counterpart Maki Shiomi (7-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-9, 8-11, 10-12, 12-10).
Korean defensive specialist Suh Hyowon was also pushed right down to the wire in the 5.10pm session, but eventually came good against France’s Yuan Jia Nan (11-5, 11-7, 6-11, 8-11, 11-4, 12-14, 11-3).
Comeback delight for Szudi and Pergel
Mixed Doubles – Preliminary Round 2
Hungary’s Adam Szudi and Szandra Pergel have produced another sterling performance as a pair on the international stage, this time coming back from two games down to beat the Portuguese duo of Tiago Apolonia and Shao Jieni 3-2 (5-11, 9-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-3).
We also saw a full distance affair on table 3 with Serbia’s Aleksandar Karakasevic and Izabela Lupulesku squeezing past Vitor Ishiy and Bruna Takahashi (11-8, 9-11, 11-4, 5-11, 11-4).
German combinations enjoy winning starts
Men’s Doubles – Preliminary Round 1
Timo Boll and Ricardo Walther have struck an opening preliminary round victory in the men’s doubles draw relatively untroubled, needing just three games to deal with Brazilian opponents Eric Jouti and Thiago Monteiro (11-6, 11-4, 11-9).
There was another German success for the local crowd to celebrate over on table 1 as Patrick Franziska and Dimitrij Ovtcharov overcame a difficult meeting with Hong Kong, China’s Kwan Man Ho and Ng Pak Nam (12-10, 11-6, 16-18, 12-10).
The French influence grows
Women’s Doubles – Preliminary Round 1
Laura Gasnier and Marie Migot have pushed on the French influence here in Germany, as the pair defeated Hungarian duo Dora Madarsz and Szandra Pergel in a superb all-action match that finished 3-2 (11-6, 11-6, 4-11, 6-11, 11-6).
In good news for Hong Kong China fans, Doo Hoi Kem and Zhu Chengzhu won in straight games (14-12, 11-2, 11-9) against Italian duo Giorgia Picoolin and Debora Vivarelli.
Gauzy wins French domestic
Men’s Singles – Preliminary Round 3
It was a straight forward match for Simon Gauzy versus Can Akkuzu, lasting 31 minutes and four games. Winning 4-0 (11-8, 12-10, 11-3, 11-9), Gauzy showcased his best against his own compatriot.
Over at table 1, Greek Gionis Panagiotis took on Hungarian veteran Bence Majoros, and won in style. The score reading 4-1 (11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9), Panagiotis was in good form and forced Majoros on his backhand, and took the match from thereon.
Shocks galore in Germany!
Uda survives scare, Freitas can’t
Men’s Singles – Preliminary Round 3
Japan’s Yukiya Uda was given a run for his money by Hong Kong China’s Lam Siu Hang, who won the first game 11-6. However, Uda hit back with strength in his play and won the match 4-2 (6-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6, 9-11, 11-0).
Meanwhile, the Freight Train from Portugal was involved in an epic one hour match against Korea Republic’s Cho Seungmin. Marcos Freitas was up 3-1 when Cho turned the tables and won three games in a row! The final score read 4-3 (11-7, 1-11, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 16-14) to Cho, and it was truly a moment that belonged to the Asian athlete.
Assar moves on, Pak Nam doesn’t
Men’s Singles – Preliminary Round 3
Kicking off things for the men’s preliminary round 2 was Egypt’s Omar Assar, who beat China’s Xiang Peng in a clinical 4-1 (11-6, 9-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-4) victory.
Sadly for Hong Kong China, Ng Pak Nam was not able to do the same as he lost out to China’s Xu Chenhao in straight games – but will it be termed a shock?
Kato out, so is Eerland
Women’s Singles – Preliminary Round 2
Enigmatic Japanese Miyu Kato has been eliminated by China’s Sun Mingyang in a stunning 4-1 (13-11, 11-3, 4-11, 11-8, 11-8) win, lasting 37 minutes.
Netherlands’ Britt Eerland, fresh from her good performances at the World Team Qualification Tournament, could not handle the powerful shot making from China’s Rui Zhang, who beat her 4-1 (13-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 11-3).
France on the rise, as Szocs exits
Women’s Singles – Preliminary Round 2
France’s Yuan Jia Nan is in fantastic form at the moment, as she took control of her tie against Hong Kong China’s Lee Ho Ching early on to win 4-0 (11-8, 11-3, 11-8, 11-6).
Her compatriot Stephanie Loeuillette has however, stolen the show after he comeback win over Romania’s leading athlete – Bernadette Szocs! In a 4-3 (8-11, 6-11, 13-11, 11-2, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8) win, Loeuillette came from 0-2 down and spun the game on its head by attacking Szocs at the table in truly splendid fashion.
Yu progresses, Batra crashes
Women’s Singles – Preliminary Round 2
Singapore’s Yu Mengyu has seen off Luxembourg’s Sarah de Nutte in a straight games win (11-8, 11-4, 11-5, 11-9) for the Asian, who needed no more than half an hour this morning.
India’s Manika Batra however, could not replicate her heroics of yesterday as she crashed out after losing to Saki Shibata in a 4-1 (11-9, 11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9) win for the Japanese.