By Neha Aggarwal

In group one, top seed Minnie Soo Wai Yam upstaged Germany’s Caroline Hajok in five games. She started off with a three games lead but Hajok did not give up. She grabbed the next game 9-11, however, failed to continue and bowed down 11-4 in the fifth game. Minnie Soo Wai Yam won 11-8, 11-2, 11-5, 9-11, 11-4.

Mak Tze Wing, seeded second and placed number one in group two, did not spare a breath to USA’s Amy Wang in their first round match. Mak Tze Wing was quick in her close to the table attacks which left Wang in a troubled situation. She won in straight games 11-8, 13-11, 11-4, 11-5.

“I prepared well before the match. Her speed was quiet good. It is just the beginning, I can do better in the next upcoming games.”- Mak Tze Wing

Host nation’s Archana Girish Kamath had all the reasons to smile as she beat Raquel Andrade in their round one encounter. She won in a rather comfortable fashion in five games 15-13, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8 to give India a positive start. However, Selena Selvakumar had to suffer defeat by the hands of Chinese Taipei’s Su Pei-Ling 4-1 (10-12, 11-4, 11-5, 11-2, 11-7)

The girls from Japan had an initial close contest as Kana Takeuchi, seeded third in the tournament, beat Romania’s Andreea Clapa in a full seven distance encounter 15-13, 6-11, 6-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-4, 11-4. The match was a treat to watch for the Indian spectators as they witnessed Takeuchi’s defensive skills, the style of play that they do not see too often in India.

Team mate Yuko Kato, who won four Junior Girls’ Singles titles in 2016, in France, Sweden, Portugal and Slovenia, managed a close victory in her first round match against Australia’s Wu Jiamuwa. The fifth seed Japanese won in seven games 8-11, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 12-10.

Round two of Junior Girls’ Singles qualifying matches will commence at 6:00pm IST.

Watch all the exciting action LIVE on ITTF’s YouTube channel!

Detailed results on ittf.com.