by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Notably, Krittwika Roy and Madhurika Patkar caused France pain. Listed at no.190 on the recently released Women’s World Rankings, Madhurika Patkar beat Marie Migot named at no.183 (11-8, 8-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7) to maintain her unbeaten record and thus secured top spot in the group.
A fine win but arguably the success gained by Krittwika Roy was the greater surprise; occupying the no.267 spot in the global order, she overcame Laura Gasnier of France, named at no.137 (11-3, 15-17, 11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-6).
Similarly, Giorgia Piccolin and Debora Vivarelli rose to the challenge; Debora Vivarelli, named at no.247 beat Russia’s Ekaterina Guseva, ranked no.174 (9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-8, 3-11, 11-9), the win coming at virtually the same time as Giorgia Piccolin defeated Poland’s Klaudia Kusinski (6-11, 11-7, 13-15, 11-6, 11-7, 11-7).
Giorgia Piccolin is presently named at no.279 on the Women’s World Rankings, Klaudia Kusinska is at no.140.
Defeat for Klaudia Kusinska, the third highest rated on Women’s Singles qualification stage duty; there was also defeat for the player at the top of the list; presently standing at no.135 on the Women’s World Rankings, Serbia’s Andrea Todorovic was beaten by Romania’s Andreea Clapa (13-11, 7-11, 11-7, 12-10, 7-11, 11-8).
First place in the group against expectations for Andreea Clapa; it was the same for Israel’s Nicole Trosman, Hong Kong’s Liu Qi, Hungary’s Mercedes Nagyvaradi and Yana Timina of the Netherlands.
Nicole Trosman, ranked no.243, beat Germany’s Wan Yuan, listed at no.176 (11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9), Liu Qi overcame the Czech Republic’s Katerina Tomanovska (6-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-4, 11-8, 11-4), whilst Mercedes Nagyvaradi defeated Slovenia’s Manca Fajmut (12-10, 11-5, 11-7, 11-6).
Currently on the Women’s World Rankings, Nicole Trosman is at no.243, Wan Yuan at no.176; Liu Qi is at no.237 as opposed to Katerina Tomanovska at no.195. Meanwhile, Mercedes Nagyvaradi stands at no.212 just one place behind Manca Fajmut at no.211.
Notable wins but pride of place goes to Yana Timina, she will celebrate her 42nd birthday on Monday 15th May and is one of sport’s great triers; she beat Ukraine’s Ievgeniia Vasylieva in a close seven games duel to secure top spot in the group (7-11, 11-9, 6-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6). On the present day Women’s World Rankings, Ievgeniia Vasylieva is no.201; Yana Timina at no.216.
Surprises but amongst the top names there were successful outcomes for Korea’s Lee Eunhye and Russia’s Olga Vorobeva. At no.93 on the current Women’s World Rankings, Lee Eunhye beat Croatia’s Ida Jazbec (11-8, 12-10, 11-2, 11-4); Olga Vorobeva, named at no.135, overcame Nadezhda Bogdanova (12-10, 11-4, 11-8, 12-10).
Players finishing in first places in each of the 32 groups, join the 32 seeds in the main draw.
