by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Esther Oribamise beat South Africa’s Danisha Patel (10-12, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7); Agnes Onoja accounted for compatriot Sidikat Yaya (11-9, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4).

Both holders of current World Rankings, Esther Oribamise currently at no.698, Agnes Onoja at no.761; defeat at the hands of players with no global status but more experience had been the outcome the previous day.

Agnes Onoja had lost to Funmiola Ajala, also from Nigeria (12-10, 11-6, 11-8, 11-4); similarly Esther Oribamise had suffered at the hands of Russia’s Irina Ermakova (11-7, 11-4, 11-2, 11-7).

On the second day of player, Funmiola Ajala received a walk-over against Ghana’s Lawrencia Dei and thus by default ended the group unbeaten. Likewise, Irina Ermakova ended matters with an unblemished record. She accounted for Nigeria’s Rofiat Jimoh (11-5, 2-11, 11-1, 11-3, 11-5).

Places in the main draw for Esther Oribamise and Agnes Onoja; for remaining owners of World Rankings competing in the initial stage of the Women’s Singles event, it was top spot without due alarm.

Nigeria’s Cecilia Akpan had completed her first phase matches unbeaten the previous day. On the second day of action the Egyptian trio of Yousra Helmy, Farah Abdel-Aziz and Amira Yousry, alongside Italy’s Giorgia Piccolin, listed at no.269, the highest rated player on duty in the first stage of the Women’s Singles event, all ended the day unbeaten.

The first round of the Women’s Singles event will be played on Saturday 12th August.