Kwon Hyuk (Photo WTT)
It was the perfect start for Korean Kwon Hyuk in the qualifying rounds of the WTT Star Contender Muscat.
The opening action at the at Sultan Qaboos Sport Complex saw qualifying seeds fall and new stars rise in a day of dramatic table tennis.
Kwon Hyuk began the day with a solid 12-10, 11-3, 11-9 win over Abdulaziz Bu Shulaybi , He went on to claim a surprise 12-14, 11-4, 11-8, 11-8 victory over third qualifying seed Yuhi Sakai in their brawl.
Kwon Hyuk, who is currently positioned at World No.221, showcased thrilling form throughout the contest. Dropping a narrow first game in deuce, the Korean proceeded to rev into high gear, as he went on to win three games on the trot to seal the win and a spot in Tuesday’s qualifying action.
His next challenge lies in Evgeny Tikhonov, who also impressed on Monday evening, dispatching higher-ranked player Payas Jain without dropping a single game, winning 11-5, 13-11, 12-10.
Another player marching on was Romanian hopeful Darius Movileanu. The unseeded player began his campaign in style with a straight game 11-1, 11-5, 11-6 victory over home favourite Bilal Al Rashdi, before surprising sixth qualifying seed Mohamed Elbeiali 11-9, 13-11, 4-11, 11-6.
Awaiting him in the final stage of qualifying is Indian favourite Akash Pal, the latter having narrowly overcome Satoshi Aida in five nail-biting games 11-3, 11-7, 11-13, 8-11, 11-9.
Florent Lambiet and Nima Alamian also shocked fans with their impressive straight game victories over Fanbo Meng 11-9, 11-7, 11-8 and Maciej Kubik 11-5, 12-10, 11-9 respectively, earning them a ticket each to the last day of qualifying.
Lambiet was in for a truly tough challenge, however, as he prepares to enter combat with fourth qualifying seed Vladimir Sidorenko, the latter having defeated Hamid Shams in three quick games 11-6, 11-6, 11-5.
Meanwhile, Quek Izaac is set to be Nima Alamian’s final challenge, as the duo lock horns for a spot in the main draw.
