by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Liu Shiwen beat Portugal’s Fu Yu (11-5, 11-9, 12-10, 11-3), Feng Tianwei accounted for Korea’s Choi Hyojoo (7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-8, 11-8).
Likewise, in the lower half of the draw there was success for Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa, the no.6 seed but for Germany’s Han Ying, the no.8 seed and semi-finalist the previous week in Tokyo, it was defeat.
She was beaten by Sakura Mori, like Kasumi Ishikawa from Japan. Focused and motivated, Sakura Mori won in six games (4-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-7, 11-7, 11-9).
One upset as the second round of the Women’s Singles event and there was one more surprise that was no surprise at all.
No current world ranking but the winner four days in Tokyo, Sun Yingsha ended the hopes of Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem, the no.11 seed (11-6, 12-10, 11-1, 11-6).
Wins for two qualifiers and as the round concluded there were nearly two more. Singapore’s Lin Ye mounted a brave recovery against Germany’s Shan Xiaona, the no.12 seed, before losing by the narrowest of margins (11-6, 11-7, 11-6, 9-11, 13-15, 7-11, 11-9). At the same time, Chinese Taipei’s Chen Szu-Yu extended Japan’s Hina Hayata, the no.13 seed, to six games (11-6, 5-11, 11-9, 11-5, 5-11, 11-9).
The second round of the Women’s Singles event will be played in entirety on Friday 23rd June.