Matsumoto headed into the contest 88 places behind the world number 20 in the rankings but took full control of the match in the early stages, winning the first three games 11-8, 11-9, 11-7.

The contest swung dramatically, however, as Gacina hit back to draw level in the tie to force a decider, but ultimately fell short as Matsumoto came through to complete a 11-8, 11-9, 11-7, 10-12, 10-12, 7-11, 11-9 win.

“I was up three-nil but he is a very good player so I knew it was never over until I won the final point”, Matsumoto, who will make his Olympic debut at Rio 2016, said.

“I just wanted to keep on fighting, I kept on having chances to close out the match but I couldn't; some days you have a good day and today was my day.”

England’s Paul Drinkhall booked his place in the main draw by earning a thrilling 10-12, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 10-12, 11-9, 11-6 over Sweden’s Anton Kallberg.

Drinkhall’s compatriot Liam Pitchford also battled through after winning 10-12, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-5, 11-7 against South Korea’s Lim Jonghoon.

Jang Woojin, however, did achieve success for the host nation as he overcame Chinese Taipei’s Liao Cheng-Ting 6-11, 11-9, 10-12, 11-5, 13-11, 11-8.

In the women’s competition, Japan’s Hitomi Sato made a surprise early exit from the competition, the world number 21 falling short against Li Fen.

The Chinese-born Swedish player, winner of the European singles title in 2013, emerged as a 11-7, 11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 12-10 winner.

Sato’s team-mate Kato Miyu also bowed out, losing to unranked 18-year-old Choi Yelin as the South Korean triumphed 3-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7, 3-11, 11-9.