by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Victories by both teams the previous day over the Fijian sisters, Grace Rosi Yee and Sally Yee; China versus Belarus decided the title in the Junior Girls’ Team competition.
Imposing, Qian Tianyi gave her team the perfect start; she beat Nadezhda Bogdanova (11-7, 11-2, 11-8), before Liu Weishan doubled the advantage by overcoming Daria Trigolos (14-12, 11-9, 11-6). She then joined forces with Shi Xunyao to secure the doubles at the expense of Nadezhda Bogdanova and Daria Trigolos.
“I am not that satisfied with my performance but it was overall success. I’m not used to the styles of the Belarus players. They also did very well during the match.” Liu Weishan
Gold for China; in the Cadet Girls’ Team event it was gold and silver for the hosts.
At the semi-final stage China ‘A’ beat the Singapore pairing of Idys Koh Gaoh Cai and Zhou Jingyi. Huang Yingqi overcame Idys Koh Gaoh Cai (11-5, 11-6, 11-7), Wang Tianyi accounted for Zhou Jingyi (11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8), before Kuia Min and Huang Yingqi joined forces to secure the doubles (9-11, 2-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-5).
Penultimate round success by three matches to nil, it was exactly the same in the final when facing the China ‘B’ Team trio of Ding Zige, Xu Jiaru and Zhang Yunhan.
Wang Tianyi beat Ding Zige (6-11, 11-4, 11-8, 11-9), before Kuai Man accounted for Xu Jiaru (11-7, 7-11, 11-13, 11-7, 12-10) and Kuai Man paired with Huang Yingqi to secure the doubles. They overcame Ding Zige and Zhang Yunhan (11-7, 11-6, 11-13, 11-5).
“I am not very satisfied with the match. I was too nervous and unprepared. The China ‘B’ Team played really well. I hope we can develop our professional skills together.” Wang Tianyi
In the counterpart semi-final, China ‘B’ had overcome the Korean Republic duo of Kim Nayeong and Jang Yunseo by three matches to nil. Wang Tianyi beat Ding Zige, Kuai Man accounted for Jang Yunseo (11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 11-1), before Ding Zige and Zhang Yunhan joined forces to win the doubles (11-1, 7-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7).
Play in the Junior Girls’ Team and Cadet Girls’ Team events over; the focus of attention is now directed towards the Junior Girls’ Singles, Cadet Girls’ Singles and Hopes Girls’ Singles competitions.
