Table tennis player Anh Tu has an advantage in the qualifying round of the 2024 Paris Olympics

Among the Vietnamese athletes participating in the qualifying round, the main player, the number 1 hope of Vietnamese table tennis, Nguyen Anh Tu, has an advantage in the group stage. Specifically, in the men's singles event, 10 players are divided into 3 groups. Nguyen Anh Tu is in group 3 (4 athletes) with Wong Qi Shen (Malaysia), Thanmathikom Napat (Thailand) and Misal John Russel (Philippines).

Meanwhile, Dinh Anh Hoang fell into group 2 (3 athletes) with Quek Izaac (Singapore) and Nayre Jann Mari (Philippines).

Group 1 includes Pang Yew En Koen (Singapore), Choong Javen (Malaysia), Sanguansin Phakpoom (Thailand).

According to the rules, the players will compete in a round robin, the top players of groups 1 and 2 will advance directly to the semi-finals, the top 2 players of group 3 and the second place players of groups 1 and 2 will compete in the quarter-finals.

Comparing the relative strength and achievements from recent SEA Games, Nguyen Anh Tu's group is considered easier than Dinh Anh Hoang's group with Quek Izaac (Singapore), the current SEA Games 32 men's singles champion. Nguyen Anh Tu, the current SEA Games 32 runner-up, is also considered a strong candidate for the top position in group 3. Because he is in a group with 4 athletes, to qualify for the semi-finals, the Vietnamese tennis player will have to play more than 1 match.

In the women's singles, 8 players are divided into 2 groups, playing a round robin to determine the top 2 players from each group to enter the semi-finals, then cross-match and determine the final match. The winner of the final match will win a ticket to the 2024 Olympics.

According to the draw results, Mai Hoang My Trang is in group 1 with Zeng Jian (Singapore), Cruz Kheith (Philippines), Ho Ying (Malaysia). Nguyen Khoa Dieu Khanh is in group 2 with Zhou Jingyi (Singapore), Chang Li Sian Alice (Malaysia), Laude Angelou Joyce (Philippines).

Coach Doan Kien Quoc said: "Vietnamese players need to have high concentration to achieve the best results in each match from the group stage. Opportunities are divided equally among players in this tournament. To win tickets, they need to maximize their performance and enter the match with confidence."

According to the schedule, the matches in the 2024 Olympic qualifying round of table tennis will take place from 1:00 p.m. on May 8.