04-Sep, Day ONE:
Good opening day for HK as qualifying begins

The sixth edition of the HKFC International got under way today with the first round of qualifying for the twin PSA $25k events.

There was home interest in every women's match, while on the men's side the favourites for qualification came from India, Malaysia and Pakistan.

There were plenty of upsets, especially in the women's matches as five of the seeded players were beaten - including three of the top four - and six home players advanced to tomorrow's finals with two guaranteed qualifiers.

Ho Ka Wing took out top seeded Aussie Jessica Davis in straight games while Tang Yan Yi beat second seeded Indian Janet Videh also in three straight. Wong Po Yui and Li Sum Yim will contest a qualifying final after comfortable wins over the fourth and fifth seeds.

The men's matches went more to form with three of the top four seeds advancing, two of the upsets coming as locals Tsz Kwan Lau and Henry Leung came through five-setters to complete their upset wins.

Leung saved match balls on his way to beating third-seeded Malaysian Eain Yow Ng in a match that was at times quite physical, while Lau came from two games down to oust Pakistan's seventh seeded Ahsan Ayaz.

HKFC club champion Rudi Willemse couldn't make it a hat-trick as he wend down four games in the last match of the day to Tayyab Aslam.

Top seeded Indians Vikram Malhotra and Mahesh Mangaonkar both advanced comfortably enough, and they will be favourites to make the main draw along with Aslam and Spain's Carlos Cornes.

Qualifying finals begin at 17.00 on Tuesday,
with the Opening reception at 19.00.