Malta’s Shawn Agius, Duncan Pisani and Joseph Casha had a chance of qualifying for the round of 32 yesterday evening although Agius and Pisani still had an important match each to play before concluding their qualifying programme.

By yesterday morning, Agius had a perfect record – four wins from four matches, but in the afternoon he lost two matches in succession.

Duncan Pisani had a record of three wins and three defeats and also still had a match left to play while Joseph Casha registered four wins and three defeats. He is the only player to have finished his qualifying commitments and was waiting for the group’s final matches to see his fate.

The other Maltese competitor, Thurston Grixti, is finding the going somewhat tough. He has managed to win his second game, but has lost four others.