Impressive one week ago in Korea when he negotiated the group stage of both the Men’s Singles and Under 21 Men’s Singles events; Sweden’s Hampus SODERLUND was in form as the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour moved to the city of Yokohama in Japan. He was the
Impressive one week ago in Korea when he negotiated the group stage of both the Men’s Singles and Under 21 Men’s Singles events; Sweden’s Hampus SODERLUND was in form as the GAC Group 2014 ITTF World Tour moved to the city of Yokohama in Japan.
He was the player who on the first day of action in the qualification stage of proceedings caused the biggest upset; he accounted for China’s ZHOU Qihao the highest rated player in the opening phase of the competition.
Executing his powerful attacking skills to good effect he posted a straight games win (11-7 11-9 11-5 11-9). In his second round contest he accounted for India’s Sathiyan GNANASEKARAN and secured the place in the main draw.
However the most significant name to suffer was that of Russia’s Fedor KUZMIN the winner of the Men’s Singles title at the Slovenian Open in 2005; he was beaten by the host nation’s Yuya OSHIMA (6-11 11-9 11-5 11-7 11-8). Despite the defeat KUZMIN progressed further. He overcame Chinese Taipei’s Chin Mao-Cheng to secure passage.
Benjamin BROSSIER suffered defeat in his opening match; he was beaten by Japan’s Jin Ueda (6-11 9-11 12-10 11-9 11-7 11-6) but then recovered to overcome Sweden’s Mattias KARLSSON (4-11 11-9 13-11 5-11 11-9 12-10). The final outcome however went in Swede’s favour. KARLSSON concluded the Group stage at position no. one whilst French player finished third.
