Korean dreams

It was the best of 30 minutes for the hosts as all three Koreans in the Men’s Singles snatched comprehensive wins in Busan. Runners-up in Thailand Open of this year’s ITTF World Tour, Seo Hyundeok took no time in racing to a victory over Saudi Arabia’s Ali Alkhadrawi (11-6, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5).

His compatriots, Kim Donghyun and Park Ganghyeon wrapped up their games against Hong Kong’s Kwan Man Ho and Nigerian Oluyomi Salako respectively with equal ease. (4-1; 4-0).

Memories of Zagreb

Winner on the ITTF World Tour in 2013 in Zagreb; the host nation’s Lee Dasom rekindled memories of six years ago.

In the opening preliminary round of the women’s singles event she beat India’s Madhurika Patkar (11-8, 11-6, 11-3, 11-3).

Qian Tianyi underlines quality

Crowned world junior champion last year in Bendigo when beating Shi Xunyao in the final; China’s Qian Tianyi once again underlined her quality.

In the opening preliminary round of the women’s singles event, she beat Korea Republic’s Lee Yeonhui (11-8, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7).

World Tour winners impose authority

Germany’s Shan Xiaona and India’s Sakura Mori, both winners on the ITTF World Tour (Shan Xiaona in 2014 in Magdeburg, Sakura Mori in 2017 in New Delhi) made impressive starts in the women’s singles event.

In the preliminary round, both beat host nation opposition. Shan Xiaona accounted for Kim Yujin (11-2, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6); Sakura Mori ended the hopes of Kim Nayeong (11-3, 11-2, 5-11, 11-5, 11-5).

Chinese teenagers make presence felt

Crowned world junior champion in 2016 in Cape Town, the runner up last year in Bendigo, China’s 17 year old Shi Xunyao made an impressive start to her campaign. In the first preliminary round of the women’s singles event she accounted for Korea Republic’s Lee Eunhye (15-13, 8-11, 15-13, 11-5, 11-6).

Similarly there was success for 19 year old colleague, Liu Weishan; she beat Norway’s Ma Wenting (11-2, 11-4, 11-8, 11-9).

Shin Yubin sets standard for hosts

Quarter-finalist earlier this year on the Seamaster 2019 ITTF Challenge Series in Croatia, Shin Yubin, who will celebrate her 15th birthday this coming Friday, very much set the standard for the Korea Republic.

In the opening series of matches in the preliminary round of the women’s singles event, she was one of two players from the host nation to enjoy success. She accounted for Japan’s Kaho Akae in six games (9-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-9). The one further player to emerge successful was Lee Zion; she overcame Chinese Taipei’s Chen Ting-Ting (11-6, 7-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-8).

Qualification underway

The players have taken to the tables and it’s time to begin – here’s a look at the day’s schedule: