SEOUL - The former Korean number one Kyung Roul Kim, who was outplayed in the first round of the World Cup in Guri by Hwang Hyung Beom, was the best player so far on day one of the Kimch tournament in Seoul. With three wins (30 in 12, 10 and 12 innings), averaging 2.647 and highest run of 14, he is the leader of Group D, in which Dani Sánchez won two matches in 17 and 26 innings.
Frédéric Caudron, Marco Zanetti and Eddy Merckx, the other three group leaders, also had a flawless start. Caudron leads with four match points out of two and 2.142 (both games 14 innings). Jose Maria Mas (3 matches, 4 points) and Tae So Lim (3 matches, 4) are the two contenders for second place in the group.
Marco Zanetti won two matches, in 17 and 19 innings, the junior world champion Haeng Jik Kim won twice and lost 30-23 to Zanetti. The young Korean defeated Therese Klompenhouwer 30-28. Klompenhouwer, with a win, a draw and a loss is almost off for the quarterfinals.
Eddy Merckx has the maximum match points (4), but is preceded in the ranking by Ruben Legazpi, the Spaniard who played three matches and is on top in the group with five match points (1.730).
The Spaniard (almost certain for next round) and the Belgian meet each other for the first place in the group.