Japanese players defeated last two European representatives: KIZUKURI – HACHARD 4:0 KATO – SAMARA 4:2
Last two representative of Europe were beaten by Japanese players in the quarter-finals of the singles events at 2016 ITTF World Tour Australian Open (Challenge) in Melbourne: Yuto KIZUKURI – Antoine HACHARD 4:0 (11:6 11:4 11:7 11:4) Miyu KATO – Elizabeta SAMARA 4:2 (10:12 11:5 11:2 9:11 11:8 11:4).
The 17-year-old Yuto KIZUKURI the runner-up of the Under 21 Men’s Singles event earlier in the day upset no.3 seed HACHARD who beat two host players and one from Japan on his way to the quarter-final stage. KIZUKURI lost in the Under 21 final from his compatriot Mizuki OKAWA who eliminated Frenchman Romain RUIZ 3:1 in the semi-final stage of that event.
Actual individual European champion and no. 5 seed in Melbourne Elizabeta SAMARA from Romania was leveled with no. 2 seed Miyu KATO after four games but 17-year-old showed excellent play in the next two sets. KATO earlier in the day won Under 21 Women`s Singles event.
