Sharath Kamal clears first hurdle in Kuwait Open TT

Sharath Kamal (FILE PHOTO)

New Delhi - India’s top paddler Sharath Kamal had to dig deep for a 4-2 win against Hampus Soderlund of Sweden in the opening round of the ITTF Kuwait Open Super Series in Kuwait City on Sunday.

World no.75 Kamal got past his 311th-ranked opponent 11-7, 11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-13, 11-5. He plays Germany’s Bastian Steger in the second round.

Soumyadeep Roy bumped into China’s world no.1 Xu Xin, who strolled to a 11-7, 11-7, 11-6, 11-4 victory.

The rest of the Indians including men’s national champion Soumyajit Ghosh failed to qualify for main draw.