Top seed Tomokazu Harimoto of Japan now knows his first-round opponent at the ITTF Czech Open ©Getty Images

Romania's Cristian Pletea came through his two preliminary matches to set up a last-32 meeting with top seed Tomokazu Harimoto at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Czech Open in Olomouc.

Pletea defeated Japan's Koyo Kanamitsu 11-9, 11-3, 11-6, 11-6 before a victory over England's Samuel Walker 11-5, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 8-11, 11-5 at the OMEGA Sports and Health Center.

It secures him a meeting with Japan's Harimoto, who triumphed at last week's ITTF Bulgaria Open in Panagyurishte.

Second seed Hugo Calderano will play fellow Brazilian Gustavo Tsuboi in the first round.

Tsuboi overcame Italy's Leonardo Mutti 11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 15-13, 11-6 in preliminary round three, prior to a 13-11, 5-11, 12-10, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6 victory over Austria's Andreas Levenko.

Japan’s Hina Hayata is in the last 32 of the women's singles ©ITTF/Lukas Kabon
Japan’s Hina Hayata is in the last 32 of the women's singles ©ITTF/Lukas Kabon

The Netherlands' Li Jie, the top-ranked player in women’s singles qualification, missed out on a place in the main draw after being overwhelmed by China's Feng Yalan in four straight games, 6-11, 6-11, 6-11, 4-11.

Feng had earlier defeated compatriot Fan Siqi 8-11, 11-3, 11-5, 6-11, 11-3, 12-10 in preliminary round three. 

Her last-32 opponent will be Germany's Petrissa Solja.

Top-seeded Japanese Kasumi Ishikawa and second-seeded countrywoman Mima Ito will go up against Chinese Taipei's Cheng Hsien-Tzu and Japan's Hina Hayata, respectively, for a place in the round of 16.

The main event starts tomorrow through to Sunday (August 25).