by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

The success was as expected, Lee Ka Yee commenced matters as the top seed, Ng Wing Lam, the no.3 seed; likewise colleagues Chau Wing Sze, the no.2 seed and Poon Yat, the no.9 seed, secured first places in their respective groups.

However, for compatriots Yenn Ho Ching, Luk Sze Yu and Lee Chung Yan, first place was not to be anticipated.

Luk Sze and Lee Chung Yan remained unbeaten; both caused surprises of note by overcoming Singaporean opposition. Lu Sze Yu beat Lu Hua Yu, the no.10 seed (11-6, 11-8, 11-5); Lee Chung Yan accounted for Jassy Tan Li Jin, the no.11 seed (7-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9, 11-4).

Problems for Lu Hua Yu and Jassy Tan Li Jin but those were their only defeats; second place was the end result and thus progress to the main draw.

Unbeaten displays, it was somewhat different for Yenn Ho Ching. She experienced defeat at the hands of Sweden’s Rebecca Muskantor, the no.8 seed, in four games (6-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-7) but in her concluding contest beat Japan’s Fuwa Yumoto in three straight games (11-8, 11-7, 11-3). Notably, earlier in the day in the opening match in the group, Fuwa Yumoto had overcome Rebecca Muskantor in four games (11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 12-10).

Thus games ratio determined the outcome; it was first place for Yenn Ho Ching (4:3), followed by Rebecca Muskantor (4:4) and Fuwa Yumoto (3:4).

Disappointment for Japan but there was unexpected success. Haruna Ojio beat Rachel Sung of the United States, the no.5 seed (11-3, 11-8, 7-11, 11-2) to secure first place in her group; Rachel Sung, like Haruna Ojio, otherwise unbeaten, reserved runners up spot.

Meanwhile, in the remaining groups it was pole position as status advised. Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yu-Jie, the no.4 seed and Cai Fong-En, the no.7 seed, duly topped their groups, as did Thailand’s Nanapat Kola, the no.6 seed.

The Cadet Girls’ Singles event continues on Saturday 5th August, progressing to the semi-final round.