Sam Walker and Tin-Tin Ho were both knocked out of the German Open by top 40-ranked players – Walker in a deciding sevemth game.

The England No 3 was up against Austria’s Robert Gardos, ranked No 35, and led 2-1 and 3-2 as he eyed a place in the final preliminary round.

But it was not to be for Walker as Gardos took the next two to edge a close match. Walker had beaten Hong Kong’s Li Hon Ming (WR 213) in the previous round.

Meanwhile, Ho came through her first match against Bulgaria’s Maria Yovkova (WR 128) yesterday to set up a tie against China’s world No 37 Gu Yuting.

Ho was always in contention against her left-handed opponent, never more so than when she had a game point to make it 2-2. But that slipped away and Gu went on to win in five.

Click here to watch Tin-Tin Ho v Gu Yuting (registration required).

Results

Men’s Singles
Preliminary round 2
Sam Walker bt Li Hon Ming (HKG) 4-0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-5, 11-3)

Preliminary round 3
Robert Gardos (AUT) bt Walker 4-3 (13-11, 8-11, 5-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8)

Women’s Singles
Preliminary round 1
Tin-Tin Ho bt Maria Yovkova (BUL) 4-2 (11-13, 11-5, 11-8, 11-4, 9-11, 11-6)

Preliminary round 2
Gu Yuting (CHN) bt Ho 4-1 (11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 12-10, 11-5)