Simon Gauzy reached the men's singles quarter-finals at the Japan Open ©Getty Images

France’s Simon Gauzy achieved one of the shock results in the first round of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Japan Open in Tokyo by eliminating sixth seeded Chuang Chih-Yuan from the men’s singles competition.

Gauzy had been beaten earlier this year by the Chinese Taipei player in the Budapest Open semi-finals, but took full control of their encounter in Tokyo by winning the opening games of the contest 12-10, 11-8 to close on victory.

His opponent threatened to fightback by winning two of the next three games, but Gauzy held his nerve to eventually emerge as a 12-10, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-8 winner.

The Frenchman followed up the first round win by claiming an 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-3, 13-11 win over Portugal’s Marcos Freitas.

He will now face the challenge of China’s Fan Zhendong in the quarter-finals, after the world number two overcame Brazil’s Gustavo Tsuboi in straight games.

Fan’s compatriot and top seed Ma Long also cruised into the last eight as he failed to lose a game in a 4-0 demolition of South Korea’s Jeoung Youngsik.

His clash with Jun Mizutani will attract the most home attention tomorrow, with the Japanese player being the final home player in the men’s draw, after he eliminated his team-mate Maharu Yoshimura by triumphing 11-5, 11-8, 10-12, 16-14, 11-9 in their second round tie.

There was disappointment for the host nation in the women’s draw, after Ai Fukuhara fell to defeat to Hong Kong’s Tie Yana in the first round.

Ai Fukuhara was beaten in the first round of the women's singles
Ai Fukuhara was beaten in the first round of the women's singles ©Getty Images

Seventh seed Fukuhara, who won the Japan Open back in 2013, won the opening game of the contest but was then outplayed by her opponent to eventually lose 8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9.

“My rhythm was disturbed in the second game because she was so aggressive”, said Fukuhara.

“I then struggled to find the rhythm I had possessed in the opening game; my forehand was good but my service, receive of service was not so good, I need to improve in this area.

“I will now concentrate on the Korean Open and get myself ready for the Olympic Games.”

Tie followed her win over Fukuhara by achieving a stunning comeback against Singapore’s Zhou Yihan to win 6-11, 9-11, 4-11, 14-12, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8.

She will now take on China’s Liu Shiwen, who beat Austria’s Liu Jia 9-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-6, 11-4.

The winners of the contest will face Chinese opposition in the semi-finals, with Li Xiaoxia and Zhu Yuling due to meet in the last eight tomorrow.