Qualifier Park stuns Franziska on day of upsets

Doha: Qualifier Ganghyeon Park shocked World No.8 Patrick Franziska in a day of upsets at the WTT Star Contender Doha 2025, while Japan s World No.3 H...

Doha: Qualifier Ganghyeon Park shocked World No.8 Patrick Franziska in a day of upsets at the WTT Star Contender Doha 2025, while Japan’s World No.3 Harimoto Tomokazu lived up to his favourites tag with a commanding win to advance to the Round of 16 yesterday.

Franziska, seeded third in the Doha event this time, put up a valiant effort against the South Korean Park, ranked 344th, but the latter staged a brilliant comeback from two games down to secure the memorable 3-2 win (9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-8) over the fancied opponent.

Park will now face Frenchman Thibault Poret (World No. 69), who secured a 3-2 (11-6, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8) victory over South Korean Lim Jonghoon (World No. 33) in another Round of 32 thriller. Tomokazu beat Germany’s Ricardo Walther with scores of 11-9, 11-2, 11-9 to book a meeting with compatriot Maharu Yoshimura, who dispatched Australian 15th seed Fin Luu in straight games (11-4, 11-4, 11-8).

In other notable results, second seed Dang Qiu of Germany made light work of China’s Chen Yuanyu, winning 3-1 with a (10-12, 12-10, 11-2, 11-8). Qiu will face Chinese qualifier Huang Youzheng who knocked out Indian veteran Sharath Achanta, ranked 38th in the world, in straight games (11-7, 11-8, 11-6).

Milosz Redzimski of Poland also made it to the last 16, defeating No.9 seed Oh Junsung of South Korea 3-0 (15-13, 11-4, 12-10), while Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Ting delivered a strong performance to defeat sixth seed Cho Daeseong of South Korea 3-2 (11-5, 11-4, 2-11, 7-11, 11-8 ) in a tense match to enter the next stage.