'Dakgong' Joo Se-hyuk-ho defeats India 3-0 to 'advance to the quarterfinals'


South Korea's men's table tennis team, led by head coach Joo Se-hyuk, defeated India to reach the quarterfinals of the World Championships. They punch their ticket to the Paris Olympics with ease.

The men's team swept past India 3-0 in straight sets in the round of 16 of the men's team competition at the BNK Busan Bank 2024 World Table Tennis Championships at BEXCO Choppy Hall in Busan, South Korea, on Monday.

It was a perfect victory in their second meeting at the tournament, following a 3-0 win over India in the final match of the qualifiers on Sept. 19, which was expected to be tricky. Starting at No. 1 singles, 'Ace' Jang Woo-jin (ranked 14th in the world) overcame a tough battle against India's top ranked player, the tricky Harmit Desai (ranked 67th in the world). Jang gained momentum by winning the deuce war in consecutive games 1-2. He breezed through game three to take a 3-0 lead (12-10, 13-11, 11-7). The top-ranked players did their part.

Facing the 'veteran' Sharath Kamal Achanta (World No. 94) at No. 2 singles, the 'left-handed ace' Lim Jong-hoon (World No. 18 on the Korea Exchange) was light on his feet. With a long backdrive and fantastic forehand topspin, Lim easily took games 1-2 11-9, 11-5. After falling behind 8-11 in game three to Achanta's play, he raced to a 9-1 lead in game four to close it out at 11-4. He won the match 3-1.

The final third singles match was played by 'Dakgong Veteran' Lee Sang-soo (Samsung Life - World No. 27). He played against Sathiyan Gnanasekaran (World No. 102). After taking game one easily, 11-5, he faltered in game two, trailing 4-8, but came back with five points in a single drive to win 9-8 and take game three, 11-8. After getting over the hump, game three was straightforward. The "daggers" came out firing. He jumped out to a 9-2 lead and closed with an 11-2 run. The exhilarating attack sealed the quarterfinals and a trip to Paris.

"Our first goal in this tournament was to qualify for the Paris Olympics, but we are looking higher than that, so we are looking at tomorrow's match, the quarterfinals," said captain Lee Sang-soo after the match. When asked about the significance of the quarterfinals in Busan, he said, "It's our first World Championship in Korea, and the fans have a lot of support and expectations, so we have to repay them and show them a great game. I think winning would be a good gift for the fans. We will do our best to show them a better and better match."

The men's team will face the winner of the Denmark-Slovenia match in the quarterfinals at 10 a.m. on Wednesday for a spot in the semifinals. 


토토사이트: https://www.safetotosite.pro/