It was the perfect start for Korean Kwon Hyuk in the qualifying rounds of the WTT Star Contender Muscat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s qualifying action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meanwhile, Quek Izaac is set to be Nima Alamian\u2019s final challenge, as the duo lock horns for a spot in the main draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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