Upsetting the order

Both players with no current world ranking, Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yan-Cheng and Singapore’s Dominic Koh Song Jun caused surprises as the initial engagements in the men’s singles group stage came to a conclusion.

Huang Yan-Cheng beat Belgium’s Adrien Rassenfosse (11-7, 11-4, 12-10); Dominic Koh Song Jun accounted for Germany’s Cedric Meissner (11-8, 11-8, 11-6).

Mixed fortunes for Singapore

It was mixed fortunes for Singapore as the men’s singles event progressed. Gerald Yu Zong Jun upset the odds by beating Korea Republic’s Son Sukhyun (11-9, 9-11, 11-3, 11-5); conversely, Josh Chan Shao Han experienced defeat at the hands of India’s Manush Utpalbhai Shah (11-3, 11-9, 11-13, 11-8).

Similarly, Senega’s Ibrahima Diaw was in form; he beat Italy’s Gabriele Piciulin (11-5, 11-5, 11-6), the highest listed player in his group.

Korea Republic trio upset odds

Impressive performances, the Korean Republic trio of Seo Hongchan, Oh Minseo and Cheon Minhyuck all accounted for higher rated adversaries in their opening matches.

Seo Hongchan and Oh Minseo both beat Indian opposition; Seo Hongchan accounted for Arjun Ghosh (11-7, 11-5, 11-9), Oh Minseo beat Jeet Chandra (11-7, 11-8, 11-9). Meanwhile, Cheon Minhyuck prevailed against Japan’s Takumi Ichinose 911-8, 11-6, 8-11, 7-11, 11-8).

Defeats for India contrary to expectations; there was one result in the opposite direction; Snehit Suravajjula accounted for Singapore’s Lucas Tan (11-9, 11-7, 11-4). Similarly, Chinese Taipei’s Tai Ming-Wei overcame Belgium’s Louis Laffineur (11-8, 6-11, 15-13, 11-6).

Positive start for France

Names familiar on the ITTF World Junior Circuit, both Camille Lutz and Prithika Pavade of France made successful starts in the women’s singles event. Both the lowest ranked in their respective groups, they beat they overcame the highest ranked.

Camille Lutz beat Korea Republic’s Lee Sooyeon (11-8, 13-11, 11-4), Prithika Pavade accounted for Singapore’s Wong Xin Ru (11-6, 11-8, 11-5).

Testing starts for Korea Republic

Korea Republic’s Dana Jung and Kim Yedam both emerged successful in full distance five games duels in their opening women’s singles contests.

Dana Jung, the lowest rated in her group, beat Singapore’s Eunice Lim (9-11, 12-10, 12-10, 12-14, 11-4); in the total opposite scenario, Lim Yedam overcame Chinese Taipei’s Lee Wan-Hsuan (2-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-8, 11-8).

Japan announces arrival

Aspiring Japanese players were very much in evidence as play commenced in the women’s singles event.

Ayane Morita and Mitsuho Kimura both beat adversaries from the Korea Republic. Ayana Morita accounted for Hwang Jina (11-7, 11-8, 12-10), Mitsuho Kimura overcame Kang Gayun (11-6, 16-14, 11-4). Meanwhile, Yuka Umemura prevailed against Hong Kong’s Karen Lee Hoi Man (11-9, 11-5, 11-2).

Belgium shade Thailand

Under 21 Men’s Singles – Group Stage

Three contests on the opening series of matches in the group stage of the under 21 men’s singles event involving Belgium and Thailand; the honours went narrowly in favour of the visitors.

Adrien Rassenfosse beat Pattaratorn Passara (6-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-5), Louis Laffineur accounted for Thyme Sanglertsilpachai (11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 14-12, 11-9); conversely Nicolas Degros lost to Wattanachai Samranvong (11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 14-12, 11-9).

Positive start for Jinnipa Sawettabut

Much travelled, especially on the ITTF World Junior Circuit, the host nation’s Jinnipa Sawettabut made a positive start in the under 21 women’s singles event. She beat Korea Republic’s You Sowon (11-6, 11-5, 8-11, 11-5).

Success for Jinnipa Sawettabut, mixed fortunes for sisters Joanna Sung and Rachel Sung from the United States. Rachel Sung was beaten by Prithika Pavade of France (11-5, 11-5, 11-4); Joanna Sung overcame Singapore’s Jassy Tan Li Jin (5-11, 11-0, 14-12, 11-8).

Pakawan Karnthang maintains form

Quarter-finalist in the junior girls’ singles event at the immediately preceding ITTF World Junior Circuit tournament, the host nation’s Pakawan Karnthang maintained her form. In her open under 21 women’s singles contest she beat Hsien Tian Lynn of the United States (18-16, 12-14, 4-11, 11-8).

Conversely for Isa Cok of France, bronze medallist three days earlier, it was defeat. She was beaten by Japan’s Mitsuho Kimura (11-9, 6-11, 2-11, 11-9, 11-9).

Schedule of Play (Wednesday 21st & Thursday 22nd May