by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Lee Ka Yee beat Joanna Sung in a full distance five games duel (11-2, 9-11, 11-2, 7-11, 11-8), before by a very similar margin Ng Wing Lam overcame Rachel Sung (7-11, 11-13, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7).
It was at that stage the United States duo mounted a recovery. The doubles was secured (11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9), prior to Rachel Sung accounting for Lee Ka Yee to level matters (11-6, 11-7, 12-10). The outcome in the balance, Ng Wing Lam halted any possible memorable recovery; she overcame Joanna Sung (14-16, 11-9, 12-10, 11-5).
A close last eight contest; at the semi-final and final stages, life was less dramatic for Lee Ka Yee and Ng Wing Lam.
Success by three matches to nil was the penultimate round decision against the Hong Kong ‘C’ duo of Chau Wing Sze and Phoebe Hui Wai, before in the title deciding contest a three-one win was recorded against Chinese Taipei’s Cai Fong-En and Huang Yu-Jie, the no.2 seeds.
Mainstay of the success in the final was Lee Ka Yee, she accounted for Huang Yu-Jie (11-3, 5-11, 11-9, 11-6) and Cai Fong-En (11-8, 11-6, 12-10), whilst sandwiched in between partnering Ng Wing Lam to doubles success (11-9, 11-13, 8-11, 11-4). The one win for Chinese Taipei was recorded in the opening match of the engagement when Cai Fong-En overcame Ng Wing Lam (9-11, 13-11, 6-11, 11-5, 11-8).
In the opposite half of the draw, Cai Fong-En and Huang Yu-Jie had recorded a three-nil win against Japan’s Haruna Ojio and Fuwa Yumoto, before accounting for the Hong Kong ‘B’ combination of Chelsea Chan Shiu Lam and Chau Wing Sze by three matches to one to reserve their place in the final.