WTT Middle East Hub – WTT Star Contender
The Round of 32 at the WTT Middle East Hub – WTT Star Contender Doha was full of upsets in both Menโs and Womenโs Singles Events. Swede Anton KALLBERG and Russiaโs Yana NOSKOVA were in charge for two of it.
Anton KALLBERG overcame LEE Sangsu of Korea to reach the Rond of 16. Worldโs no 58 prevailed against player ranked at the position no. 22 and the player who he finished on the podium at the World Championships in both the singles and doubles event in 2017. Today LEE lost in four games (10:12 11:5 11:5 11:4).
Ruwen FILUS of Germany also created upset by beating JANG Woojin of Korea placed 30 positions above German on place no. 12. FILUS won in four games (8:11 11:6 4:11 6:11). He moved further to meet Japanโs Jun MIZUTANI tomorrow.
Germanyโs Dimitrij OVTCHAROV is safely through to next round after straight games victory over Ahmed SALEH of Egypt (11:8 11:5 11:2). Next in line is Kamal Sharath ACHANTA of India to face Worldโs no10.
Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden will also play tomorrow in singles. Worldโs no 29 overcame Liam PITCHFORD of England no. 15 in big battle that lasted for five games (12:14 11:3 7:11 11:2 11:13). Kristian will play against French player Simon GAUZY. Simon beat WANG Yang of Slovakia (11:2 11:3 11:7).
After fantastic performance day earlier against CHUANG Chih Yuan of Taipei Pavel SIRUCEK of Czech Republic failed to repeat the success. Robert GARDOS of Austria halted his progress after three games (11:9 12:10 11:4). Darko JORGIC of Slovenia showed he is in great shape and overcame Marcos FREITAS of Portugal (11:8 11:6 11:7).
The list of European players in Womenโs Singles Event in the Round of ย is a bit shorter comparing to Menโs Event. In the all European duel Yana NOSKOVA of Russia was in charge for big upset in the Round of 32. Worldโs no. 60 overcame HAN Ying of Germany currently ranked at the position no. 22. However HANโs defensive skills put Yana to the great test and she was stretched to full distance (9:11 8:11 11:2 12:10 7:11).
Romaniaโs star European champion from 2015 Elizabeta SAMARA showed no mercy against Ganna GAPONOVA of Ukraine (11:9 11:8 11:3).
