Canada’s 16 year old Chen Hongtao raised the eyebrows on the opening day of play, Wednesday 25th January, at the GAC GROUP 2012 ITTF World Tour Slovenian Open in Velenje. Currently standing at no.369 on the Men’s World Rankings, he performed as status predicted in his opening contest but then on his second visit to table caused the day’s biggest upset.

In his opening match he accounted for the host nation’s Gregor Zafostnik in a closely contested seven games encounter (5-11, 13-11, 5-11, 5-11, 11-5, 11-8, 11-6); the Slovenian stands at no.416 on the Men’s World Rankings.

Confidence Grew
Win a close a close game, win a close match and confidence blossoms; never was it more true than with Chen Hontao.

On his second visit to the table he beat the highly rated 19 year old Frenchman, Quentin Robinot, in six games (7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 3-11, 12-10, 11-8).

Excellent Results in Recent Months
Quentin Robinot is currently listed at no.120 on the Men’s World Rankings but towards the end of 2011 his performance exceeded that status.

He was a bronze medallist in both the Boys’ Singles and Boys’ Team events at the Volkswagen World Junior Championships in Manama in late November, whilst being a silver medallist with Simon Gauzy in the Boys’ Doubles.

Stockholm Sensation
Meanwhile, one month earlier he had caused one of the sensations of the year, when at the Swedish Open in Stockholm, he had a stroke of fortune with an amazing result. 

He qualified for the Men’s Singles main draw as a “Lucky Loser” and then promptly beat China’s Ma Lin, the reigning Olympic champion!

No Second Chance
In Velenje, there will be no such second chance for Quentin Robinot; there are no “Lucky Loser” places. 

The players finishing in first place in group numbered one to 15 progress directly to the main draw, the players finishing in the coveted top place in groups number 16 to 49 progress to a preliminary round, the winners of 34 preliminary round matches gaining main draw places.

Only Player Guaranteed Main Draw Place
Chen Hongtao, is in group no.7 and having completed his programme of matches in the group stage unbeaten, he is through to the main draw; in fact he is the only player in the qualification stage of the Men’s Singles event who at the close of play is guaranteed a main draw place!

It is for the Canadian a step forward and step up from his previous best international effort.

Medals in Mississauga
At the ITTF-North American Championships staged in Mississauga in April 2011, he was the runner up to Pierre-Luc Theriault in the Boys’ Singles event and in the Men’s Singles competition reached the semi-finals, losing to the eventual runner up, Pradeeban Peter-Paul.

However, in both defeats he underlined the fact that a notable win was in the offing; he extended both established Canadian internationals to six games.

Excelled in Vancouver
Furthermore, four months later in August at the Double Fish Canadian Junior Open and Cadet Open, he excelled.

He was the runner up in the Junior Boys’ Singles event, beaten by Chinese Taipei’s Lee Chun-Lin at the final hurdle, whilst earlier in the proceedings partnering Pierre-Luc Theriault to gold in the Junior Boys’ Doubles.

Outcome in Doubt
The win recorded by Chen Hongtao was one of three upsets in the first phase of proceedings at the Slovenian Open but by some distance the most pertinent; the other two surprises were caused by the Czech Republic’s Michel Benes and by Russia’s Kirill Shvets but the effect is in doubt.

Presently standing at no.738 on the Men’s World Rankings, Michel Benes beat Pavel Platonov of Belarus, ranked no.166 in seven games (11-5, 11-8, 11-7, 11-13, 10-12, 4-11, 11-7); whilst Kirill Shvets overcame Italy’s Niagol Stoyanov (7-11, 11-5, 11-4, 7-11, 5-11, 12-10, 11-7).

Lost Opening Matches
However, both lost their opening matches. 

Michel Benes was beaten by Poland’s Robert Floras, world ranked no.281 (12-10, 11-3, 11-2, 8-11, 15-13); whilst Kirill Shvets suffered against Austria’s Feng Xiaoquan, world ranked no.216 (11-1, 6-11, 12-10, 11-8, 11-4).

The outcome of each group depends on the result of the final match in each group when on the morning of Thursday 26th January, Pavel Platonov and meets Robert Floras and Kirill Shvets confronts Niagol Stoyanov.

Leading Names Progress
One upset and two surprises but no such problems for the highest world ranked players on duty on the first day of play.

It was for Brazil’s Gustavo Tsuboi, Germany’s Ruwen Filus, Russia’s Fedor Kuzmin and Germany’s Torben Wosik, one visit to the table and one victory.

Source: http://www.ittf.com/_front_page/ittf_full_story1.asp?ID=26716&Category=General&Competition_ID=&

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