Fang Bo negotiates difficult test

China’s Fang Bo is through to the fourth and final round of preliminary action, but accomplishing that feat proved tricky for the 2015 World Championships silver medallist as Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chih-Yuan gave a good account of himself (12-10, 13-11, 14-12, 7-11, 11-5).

The host nation also enjoyed success courtesy of Zhou Qihao, who beat Denmark’s Jonathan Groth (11-6, 11-8, 12-10, 6-11, 11-9).

Living on the edge again

Pushed right down to the wire in his opening men’s singles qualification fixture, India’s Sathiyan Gnanasekaran survived another severe test in preliminary round three.

Trailing Stefan Fegerl 2-3, back-to-back game wins were required as Sathiyan Gnanasekaran prevailed over his Austrian counterpart by a dramatic 4-3 score-line (11-8, 8-11, 5-11, 11-7, 3-11, 11-8, 11-9).

Principal names enjoy success

The second preliminary round of the women’s singles event approaching conclusion, the prominent names enjoyed success.

Most notably Austria’s Sofia Polcanova beat Hong Kong’s Zhu Chengzhu (11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-6), the latter’s colleague Chen Szu-Yu overcame DPR Korea’s Kim Jinju (11-8, 6-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-6).

Qian Tianyi and Miyuu Kihara continue to impress

Crowned World Junior champion some five months ago in Bendigo, China’s Qian Tianyi, alongside Japan’s 14 year old Miyuu Kihara, the winner earlier this month at the Seamaster ITTF Challenge Series tournament in Croatia, continued to impress.

In the second preliminary round of the women’s singles event, Qian Tianyi beat Spain’s Maria Xiao (11-7, 11-5, 11-3, 11-6), in a similarly imposing manner Miyuu Kihara ended the hopes of Hong Kong’s Ng Wing Nam (11-6, 11-5, 13-1, 11-9)

Kim Nam Hae good form continues

Outstanding form from DPR Korea’s Kim Nam Hae in the mixed doubles event partnering An Ji Song; it was the same later in the morning in the women’s singles competition.

Good players adapt, Kim Nam Hae adapted to the defensive skills of Japan’s Honoka Hashimoto to cause the recovery of the day so far and cause a major upset; after losing the opening three games she won four in a row (10-12, 7-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9). Presently on the women’s world rankings, Kim Nam Hae is named at no.107, Honoka Hashimoto at no.23.

 Further shock defeat for China

A surprise defeat for Fan Zhendong and Ding Ning at the hands of DPR Korea; soon after another followed; in the second preliminary round of the women’s singles event, He Zhoujia, the runner up some five months ago at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals and listed at no.18 on the current women’s world rankings departed.

She was beaten by DPR Korea’s Cha Su Yong, player with no global status (11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10, 3-11, 3-11, 11-5).

“I was prepared that this match could be tough and it was a bit difficult for me to mobilise myself around the court. My opponent played really well today. I think she had the upper hand. When she was 3-1 leading I felt she made some changes to her mindset. But, when entering the deciding game she became more relaxed. She was stronger than me today.” He Zhoujia

Koki Niwa and Mima Ito in harmony

Eyes focused on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the favoured Japanese pairing may well be Tomokazu Harimoto and Kasumi Ishikawa; however, it appears they have strong challengers. Colleagues Koki Niwa and Mima Ito booked their place in the mixed doubles main draw in Shenzhen courtesy of success against Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia and Shao Jieni (11-7, 11-8, 15-13).

“This is my first time to partner Koki Niwa, so I was a bit worried at beginning but it went well afterwards. He is a very interesting and competitive player. We think alike in many aspects; hope we can co-operate better and make a strong team in future. We trained three times before this tournament. We had intensive training each time. We wish to be a perfect team for many matches.” Mima Ito

Fan Zhendong and Ding Ning react to defeat

Defeat for Fan Zhendong and Ding Ning but the reaction was philosophical

“It was a pity that we lost today, especially as we lost by the minimal margin of two points in each game. I think today our opponents used more precise tactics and played more aggressively. We did not do well in the crucial points.” Ding Ning

“We played well today but they played better. We kept trying to find solutions when on court, especially during the first two games. Things could have been different if we had taken one game.” Fan Zhendong

Day starts with major upset

Places in the main draw the reward, China Fan Zhendong and Ding Ning, the players listed at the top of the current men’s and women’s world rankings, suffered a second preliminary round mixed doubles defeat. They were beaten by DPR Korea’s An Ji Song and Kim Nam Hae (12-10, 14-12, 11-9).

Success for DPR Korea, there was further success; in additionHam Yu Song and Cha Hyo Som accounted for the Czech Republic’s Tomas Polansky and Hana Matelova (6-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6).

Seamaster 2019 ITTF World Tour Platinum China Open: Monday 13th June: Schedule of Play – Tuesday 28th & Wednesday 29th May