by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Likewise, in the Women’s Singles competition, Turkey’s Hu Melek and Iran’s Neda Shahsavari secured places in the last four, as did the host nation combination of Wang Miao and Ning Zhing.

No player was extended the full seven games distance at the quarter-final stage, Li Ping, Ahmet Li and Noshad Alamiyan being the only players to show a hint of charity.

Li Ping beat Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo in five games (11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-9), the same margin as Ahmet Li secured against Saudi Arabia’s Ali Alkhadrawi (11-4, 11-2, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7) and Noshad Alamiyan achieved in opposition to Azerbaijan’s Yu Xinheng (11-8, 8-11, 14-12, 12-10, 14-12).

One game surrendered, in the one further Men’s Singles quarter-final, there was no such grace. Nima Alamian recorded a straight games success against Turkey’s Batuhan Ulucak (11-1, 11-7, 11-1, 11-5).

Impressive performances with no concessions; the margins of victory in the round of the last eight of the Women’s Singles event were arguably even more convincing; in each instance the winners emerged successful without the loss of a single game.

Hu Melek beat Pakistan’s Rahila Kashif (11-1, 11-5, 11-8, 11-4); Neda Shahsavari accounted for Turkey’s Ozge Yilmaz (11-5, 11-7, 11-3, 11-9). Meanwhile, to the delight of the host nation, Wang Miao overcame Maryam Samet, like Neda Shahsavari from Iran (11-9, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8); Ning Zhing ended the hopes of Palestine’s Diana Assi (11-3, 11-1, 11-1, 11-1).

At the semi-final stage of the Women’s Singles event Hu Melek meets Wang Maio, Neda Shahsavaria opposes Ning Jing; in the Men’s Singles event it is Li Ping versus Nima Alamian, Li Ahmet in opposition to Noshad Alamiyan.

The semi-final and finals in both events will be played on Friday 19th May.

4th Islamic Solidarity Games: Men’s Singles – Main Draw (Thursday 18th May)

4th Islamic Solidarity Games: Women’s Singles – Main Draw (Thursday 18th May)