by Ian Marshall, Editor

There was no shortage of tension

Men’s Singles

Having the previous day lost to Zhang Kai of the United States in five games (11-8, 8-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9), Russia’s Vildan Gadiev, the highest ranked player on qualification duty, beat Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz Bu Shulaybi in straight games (11-4, 11-9, 11-2) to claim first place on games ratio. In the opening match in the group Abdulaziz Bu Shulaybi  had accounted for Zhang Kai in straight games but note the score in the second (11-5, 27-25, 11-8). It could have all so different.

Women’s Singles

Leili Mostafavi of France alongside the host nation’s Monika Knezevic and Japan’s Ari Abe started proceedings as the lowest rated players in their respective groups; all remained unbeaten to finish in first positions.

Men’s Doubles

Latin America shone; the combination of Argentina’s Gaston Alto and Chile’s Nicolas Burgos booked main draw places as did Gustavo Gomez and Juan Lamadrid, both from Chile.

Women’s Doubles

Close calls to book main draw places; the closest was that experienced by India’s Krittwika Roy and Pooja Sahasrabudhe. They overcame the combination of Croatia’s Ida Jazbec and Slovenia’s Ana Tofant by the narrowest of margins (7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9)

Under 21 Men’s Singles

Contrary to expectations, Japan’s Shogo Tahara, Canada’s Jeremy Hazin and Russia’s Maxim Chaplygin, alongside Tian Ye of the United States secured first places in their respective groups; all remained unbeaten

Under 21 Women’s Singles

Leili Mostafavi of France and Russia’s Kristina Kazantseva were the only two names who started proceedings as the top ranked players in each of the eight groups to finish in first places.