Sam Walker and Paul Drinkhall both won their first qualifying matches at the WTT Star Contender European Summer Series in Budapest.
Walker (WR 91) beat Akos Kishegyi (WR 469) of the host nation in three and next faces Emmanuel Lebesson, the former European champion from France who is currently No 41 in the world rankings. He beat Walker at the World Championships in Houston last autumn.
Drinkhall, ranked 79, twice saw his Czech opponent Lubomir Jancarik (WR 72) hit back from a set down, but Drinkhall was able to close out the decider 11-9. He next plays world No 48 Liu Dingshuo of China.
Tom Jarvis (WR 102) was unable to make it three from three as he saw opponent Cho Daeseong of South Korea (WR 89) hit back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 (5-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7).
Liam Pitchford, currently ranked at 18, is seeded into the main draw in what is a very strong event – every player ranked above him is in the field with the exception of world No 1 Fan Zhendong.
Pitchford already knows he will face Tamas Lakatos (HUN, 179) in the last 64, with the winner to face German legend Timo Boll.
In the first qualifying round of the Women’s Singles, Tin-Tin Ho was defeated in three by Ayhika Mukherjee of India, who is ranked 30 places above her at No 115.
Results
Men’s Singles
Qualifying round 1
Cho Daeseong (KOR) bt Tom Jarvis 3-2 (5-11, 5-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-7)
Sam Walker bt Akos Kishegyi (HUN) 3-0 (11-4, 15-13, 11-4)
Paul Drinkhall bt Lubomir Jancarik (CZE) 3-2 (11-6, 2-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9)
Women’s Singles
Qualifying round 1
Ayhika Mukherjee (IND) bt Tin-Tin Ho 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-4)