Republic of Korea starts well

The Republic of Korea, who are seeded fourth in the Men’s Team, underlined their credentials with a 3-1 victory over Slovenia as they kickstarted their campaign in the table tennis Men’s Team event. Lee Sangsu and Jeoung Youngsik won their opening match 3-0 convincingly against the Slovenian pair of Deni Kozul and Bojan Tokic. Jang Woojin was pushed to the distance by Darko Jorgic but managed to close out the fifth game 11-5 to give the Republic of Korea a 2-0 lead. Tokic gave Slovenia a brief reprieve as he won the third match 3-1 against Jeoung, but it was the Koreans who will advance to the quarter-final after Jang dispatched Kozul 3-1 in the fourth match.

“The first game was really important for us. We prepared ourselves and we did well. This is not over yet and we’ll continue to do our best and take each match as they come,” said  Jeoung.

Romania off to a winning start

Romania started their medal quest for the Women’s Team event by beating Egypt 3-0, where a stiffer test against Hong Kong, China awaits in the quarter-final. Daniela Dodean and Elizabeta Samara secured the early points for Romania when they beat Yousra Helmy and Farah Abdelaziz 3-0 in the first doubles match. Bernadette Szocs then took down Dina Meshref in a five-game thriller that Szocs eventually triumphed 3-2. Samara returned to action in the next singles match where she outplayed Abdelaziz again, winning 3-1.

“We trust each other and we are a good team. If one of us is not in good shape, the other partner will makeup and we will always try to win every match,” said Szocs.

Hong Kong, China dashes Brazilian hopes

Brazil made an early exit in the Women’s Team event after losing 3-1 to Hong Kong, China. Soo Wai Yam Minnie and Lee Ho Ching proved too strong for Jessica Yamada and Caroline Kumahara as they seized the early initiative 3-0 in 27 minutes. Doo Hoi Kem continued to give Hong Kong, China the advantage with a 3-0 victory over Bruna Takahashi before Kumahara reduced the deficit for Brazil with a 3-2 win over Lee. Doo then returned to action in the fourth match to defeat Yamada 3-1, sealing Hong Kong, China’s passage to the quarter-final where they will meet Romania.

Chinese Taipei outclasses Croatia

Seventh-seed Chinese Taipei steamrolled past Croatia 3-0 in their opening Men’s Team event. Croatia, who are seeded three places below them, put up a gallant fight in their opening match, but Tomislav Frane and Andrej Gacina still went down 3-2 to Chen Chien-An and Chuang Chih-Yuan. Mixed Doubles gold medallist Lin Yun-Ju then made light work of Tomislav Pucar as he comfortably won their match 3-0 in 21 minutes. Chuang ensured Chinese Tapei’s progress to the quarter-final when he dispatched Gacina with a similar 3-0 scoreline in the third match.

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