by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Chen Xingtong, winner earlier in the year of the Women’s Singles event at the Seamaster 2017 Hungarian Open, accounted for Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yi-Hua (11-6, 11-9, 12-14, 6-11, 11-2, 11-2).

Likewise, Wang Manyu, who had been the runner up in Qatar, emerged successful but of the group, she was the one who endured the most severe test. She had to recover from a three games to nil deficit to beat Canada’s Zhang Mo (6-11, 5-11, 9-11, 11-6, 12-10, 11-4, 11-4).

The wins recorded by Chen Xingtong and Wang Manyu were arguably to be expected, previous results this year had underlined their quality.

However, the successes of Sung Yingsha and Yuan Xuejiao were arguably less predictable. Both beat former ITTF World Tour Women’s Singles winners. Sun Yingsha accounted for Korea’s Choi Hyojoo (11-6, 11-3, 11-2, 11-2), Yuan Xuejiao overcame Hong Kong’s vastly experienced Tie Yana (4-11, 11-5, 11-5, 7-11, 11-4, 11-8).

Impressive performances, it was the same from Chen Ke; she ended the hopes of the host nation’s Yui Hamamoto; impressively she emerged successful in four straight games (11-8, 11-7, 14-12, 14-12).

Success for China and, other than for Tie Yana; there were also successes for the leading names required to compete in the qualification stage.

However for Korea’s Yang Haeun progress was hard earned. She booked her main draw place but needed the full seven games to beat Norway’s Ma Wenting (11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-4, 8-11, 11-5).

Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Jiang Huajun accounted for Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chia-Chih (7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4), Suh Hyowon, like Yang Haeun from Korea, ended the hopes of Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Hsien-Tu (11-8, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6).

Photos: courtesy of Japan Table Tennis Association