One, two, three for Korea Republic

Korea Republic’s Park Gyeongtae, Hwang Jinha and Kang Dangsoo all finished their initial stage group matches with wins but with totally different outcomes.

Park Gyeongtae beat Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Hao-Huan (11-7, 11-9, 11-4) to secure first place in his group;  Hwang Jinha accounted for Thailand’s Thyme Sanglertsilpachai to reserve second spot and thus progress to the main draw, Kang Dangsoo accounted for Singapore’s Beh Kun Ting (11-13, 13-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9) but had to settle for third position and was thus eliminated.

The previous day Kang Dangsoo has lost the Japan’s Asuka Machi in three straight games (11-7, 11-4, 11-9) who had then suffered against Beh Kun Ting in four games (11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6). Thus games ratio decided; first place for Asuka Machi (4:3), followed by Beh Kun Ting (5:4) and Kang Dongsoo (3:5).

First place for Jinnipa Sawettabut

Jinnipa Sawettabut delighted the home supporters; she beat Joanna Sung of the United States (11-2, 11-7, 11-5) to secure first place in her under 21 women’s singles group.

Impressive from Jinnipa Sawettabut, it was the same from Prithika Pavade of France; she accounted for Malaysia’s Tee Ai Xin (11-8, 11-9, 4-11, 11-8) to reserve first position in her group.

Success for Chinese Taipei

Contrary to original expectations Chinese Taipei’s Chien Tung-Chuan and Yu Hsiu-Ting both remained unbeaten to secure first places in their respective groups.

In their concluding matches, Chien Tung-Chuan recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat Wong Xin Ru (4-11, 8-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-7); rather less dramatically Yu Hsiu-Ting accounted for Camille Lutz of France (11-5, 11-3, 11-9).

Not a good morning for hosts

Defeats for the host nation’s Yanapong Panagitgun, Thyme Sanglertsilpachai and Wattanachai Samranvong meant no place in the main draw of the under 21 men’s singles event.

Yanapong Panagitgun lost to Belgium’s David Comeliau (2-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-6, 11-8), the effect being that Chinese Taipei’s Li Hsin-Yu finished in first place. Meanwhile, Korea Republic’s Baek Hogyun accounted for Thyme Sanglertsilpachai (11-9, 11-5, 11-8) to secure first place; a situation that applied also to Tai Ming-Wei, like Li Hsin-Yu from Chinese Taipei, who overcame Wattanachai Sanranvong (11-9, 11-2, 11-7).

Surprise first places

Unbeaten on the opening day of play, both Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yu-Jen and Singapore’s Beh Kun Ting maintained their form on the second morning of play. Each beat the top ranked player in their respective groups to secure first place and progress to the main draw.

Huang Yu-Jen beat Canada’s Jeremy Hazin (11-6, 2-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6), Beh Kun Ting accounted for Italy’s Gabriele Piciulin (11-1, 11-5, 11-7).

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