The leading names in the first stage of both the Menโs Singles and Womenโs Singles events at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour Belarus Open in Minsk duly finished in first places in their respective groups on the opening day of the tournament. In the Men,
The leading names in the first stage of both the Menโs Singles and Womenโs Singles events at the GAC Group 2013 ITTF World Tour Belarus Open in Minsk duly finished in first places in their respective groups on the opening day of the tournament.
In the Menโs Singles event it was top spot for the Japanese trio of Mizuki OIKAWA, Yuto HIGASHI and Kohei SAMBE; as it was for Russiaโs Viatcheslav KRIVOSHEEV and Mikhail GLADYSHEV. Similarly, there were no great problems for Bulgariaโs Stanislav GOLOVANOV and Italyโs Leonardo MUTTI.
But it was not safe way for rest of the lower ranked players. Swedenโs Anthony TRAN, listed at no.353 on the current Menโs World Ranking list was extended the full seven games distance by the host nationโs Dmitriy FOREITOROV (12:10, 11:6, 10:12, 11:8, 9:11, 9:11, 5:11, 11:9); whilst Japanโs Ryotaro OGATO, also needed the full seven games to overcome Russiaโs Ivan MOSKAEV (10:12, 11:5, 11:6, 10:12, 11:7, 7:11, 11:9); likewise a player who currently owns no global status. Ryotaro Ogata is listed at no.486 on the current Menโs World Rankings.
Similarly, in the opening phase of the Womenโs Singles event, the top eight names all ended the day with a perfect record; two matches played, two matches won and a place secured firmly in the main draw.
Laura PFEFFER of France, the eighth highest globally listed player in first day Womenโs Singles action needed the full seven games to overcame Japanโs 14 year old Kana TAKEUCHI (11:3, 11:6, 8:11, 3:11, 13:11, 8:11, 11:7). Earlier she had beaten Megan PHILIPPS of Wales in five games (12:10, 17:15, 11:8, 8:11, 11:4) and thus secured top place in the group. PFEFFER stands at no.244 on the Womenโs World Rankings, TAKEUCHI is at no.352.
Two close calls and there was a testing duel for the sixth highest listed in action, the host nationโs Alina ARLOUSKAYA. Named at no.242 on the Womenโs World Rankings, after overcoming Alice BARENDREGT of the Netherlands in four straight games (11:3, 11:2, 11:4, 11:9), she needed six games to defeat Swedenโs Linda BERGSTRรM (11:9, 10:12, 11:8, 7:11, 14:12, 11:2). Alina ARLOUSKAYA has been side-lined recently through injury.
