Men`s Singles Round of 16: WONG Chun Ting – Jon PERSSON 2:4 (11:6 11:5 5:11 9:11 9:11 10:12)
Actual World No. 68 Jon PERSSON from Sweden caused the biggest upset in the second round of the Men`s Singles event at the Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour Hang Seng Hong Kong Open as he beat host No. 1 seed WONG Chun Ting (WR No. 7) in six games recovering from a two games deficit at the beginning – 2:4 (11:6 11:5 5:11 9:11 9:11 10:12). PERSSON got revenge on Hong Kong`s player for recent defeat at the LIEBHERR 2018 World Team Championships in Halmstad where he played very important role in the Sweden`s bronze medal.
“I played him one time in ETTU Cup semi-finals with my club. I actually beat him three-one but then at the World Championships I lost three-one. So it was a revenge for me today. I think today I was good in my defence. I blocked well and when he attacked I was a little bit calmer than at the World Championships. I always try to play a little bit hard today I focused on keeping the ball on the table; that was the key. My serves were much better today than at the World Championships. He had more problems today with my serves than at the World Championships; this was also one key point for me. I know that he is a really good player so I needed to impose my game even if I was down two-nil. I won three very close games; it made the difference ” stated for ITTF website Jon Persson who commenced the Hong Kong Open from the qualification tournament.
Swede had a superb start as he defeated in straight games 2016 ITTF European Championships gold medalist Emmanuel LEBESSON. His opponent in the quarter-finals will be will be Chinese ZHOU Oihao who eliminated Germany`s Patrick FRANZISKA in five games.
Current World no. 15 Portugal`s Marcos FREITAS reached quarter-finals as he beat Nigeria`s Quadri ARUNA 4:2 (13:11 9:11 11:7 13:11 10:12 11:6). He will face Korea`s LIM Jonghoon who was extended to full distance by his compatriot KIM Donghyun.
The 2017 Mixed Doubles World Champion Maha YOSHIMURA upset former Olympic and World champion ZHANG Jike after full seven games of the Round of 32 reversing the score from 2:3 to 4:3.
Sofia POLCANOVA was unique European representative in the Women`s Singles Round of 16 but she lost to no.3 seed WANG Manyu from China in straight games. Five out of eight quarter-finalists are Chinese players.
Denmark`s Jonathan GROTH and Germany`s Patrick FRANZISKA lost from Japan`s Masataka MORIZONO and Yuya OSHIMA in the semi-finals of the Men`s Doubles event.
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