Egyptian and Brazilian upset odds to reach main draw of ITTF World Cup

Egypt's Omar Assar reached the main draw at the conclusion of a dramatic qualifying group ©Getty Images

Egypt’s Omar Assar and Brazil’s Gustavo Tsuboi reached the main draw of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Liebherr World Cup after emerging from the tightest of qualifying groups in Swedish city Halmstad.

The duo had been drawn into the second qualifying group and, as they faced the higher ranked Tiago Apolonia of Portugal, it looked likely that they would be in a straight fight for the second automatic berth in the main draw.

Tsuboi surprised the Portuguese player, however, winning a thrilling seven-game match 8-11, 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-8, leaving Apolonia on the brink of elimination.

Apolonia overcame Assar 6-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-8, 7-11, 4-11, 11-8 in his second match but knew a victory for his Egyptian rival in the final group match would still leave him at risk, as each player would have had one win to their credit.

The prospect was realised as Assar defeated Tsuboi in another epic contest with a score of 11-13, 11-9, 11-8, 7-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6, meaning the two qualifiers would be decided on their points ratio across group matches.

With a points ratio of 131:129 Tsuboi was announced as the group winner, while Assar’s 128:127 saw him claim the runner-up spot, with Apolonia eliminated because of a negative ratio of 122:125.

Sweden's Kristian Karlsson was one of two home favourites to advance to the main draw ©Getty Images

The home fans, though, were able to enjoy the progression of both of their hopefuls to the main draw as Kristian Karlsson won both of his matches in impressive style to top the first qualifying group.

Singapore’s Gao Ning, the ninth seed, earned second spot after securing a straight games 11-5, 11-9, 11-3, 11-7 win over Australia’s William Henzell.

Karlsson’s compatriot Anton Kallberg had a less straightforward qualification as the 18-year-old lost his opening tie 11-8, 12-10, 11-8, 11-9 to Robert Gardos but joined the Austrian in advancing from group four, beating India’s Sharath Kamal Achanta 11-5, 11-6, 11-1, 11-8.

The final group saw Greece’s Panagiotis Gionis win both of his matches, with France’s Simon Gauzy claiming the last spot in the main draw, which is due to start tomorrow, overcoming the United States’ Jimmy Butler 12-10, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8.