by Ian Marshall, Editor

A quarter-final place reserved, Ali Alkhadrawi accounted Qatar’s Ahmad Al-Mohannadi (7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7, 11-6), before resisting a brave recovery by Jordan’s Zaid Abo Yaman (11-4, 11-7, 11-4, 8-11, 4-11, 8-11, 11-9) to reach the final where, in a rather less dramatic fashion, he overcame Lebanon’s Dauud Cheiab (11-7, 12-10, 6-11, 11-4, 11-8).

Success for Ali Alkhadrawi, in the women’s event it was the same for Syria’s Hend Zaha; likewise she was tested.

Recovery

Safely through the group stage of play, like Ali Alkhadrawi she had to stave of a strong host nation challenge, she had to recover from a three games to nil deficit against Sewar Abuyaman (9-11, 7-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6), prior to securing Tokyo place in a similarly hard fought contest.

Just as later Ali Alkhadrawi caused Lebanon heartache, so did Hend Fathy; she accounted for Mariana Sahakian in further full distance contest (11-4, 11-9, 7-11, 5-11, 8-11, 11-4, 11-7).

Regions

Asia is organised in five regions: east, south, south east, middle, west. The regions of east, south, south east and middle will meet in Bangkok from Monday 6th to Sunday 12th April when they will compete as individual regions. One man and woman from each of the regions will qualify for the individual events in Tokyo.

Thus overall five places in each of the men’s singles and women’s singles events for Asia will be decided; however, the continent is eligible for six places in each discipline. The one remaining place will be awarded to the highest listed runner up from each of the five regions on the May 2020 Olympic Games men’s singles and women’s lists.

All pairs from all five regions will compete in Bangkok to decide the one mixed doubles place in Tokyo.