by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Second position in the group and a semi-final place finished in the hands of the formation comprising Tunisia’s Abir Haj Salah, who lined up alongside the host nation’s Farah Abdelfattah and Eman Taha.

Teams finishing in first and second positions in each of the two groups advanced to the main draw.

Few problems for the top seeds, for the second seeded trio of Egypt’s Riman Hesham and Waad Ibrahim who combined with India’s Selena Selvakumar, life was more testing on their route to top spot.

Against the eventual second placed team of Egypt’s Mariam Abdelaziz and Rolan Hesham who allied with Nigeria’s Esther Oribamese, the full five matches were needed to secure victory.

Mainstay of the success for the second seeds was Selena Selvakumar. She accounted for both Roland Hesham (9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-3) and Esther Oribamese (11-3, 11-7, 6-11, 11-6). The wins paved the way for Waad Ibrahim to apply the icing on the cake; in the fifth match of the fixture, she accounted for Roland Hesham (11-7, 11-5, 11-5).

Likewise, in the initial stage of the Cadet Girls’ Team event, organised on the same basis of the Junior Girls’ Team competition, it was a most fruitful day for India.

First places were secured by the Egypt ‘C’ pairing of Hend Fathy and Alaa Yeha, alongside the outfit comprising Tunisia’s Fadwa Garci and the host nation’s Hana Mahmoud. Meanwhile, respective second positions finished in the hands of the partnership formed by Egypt’s Farida Badawy and Malamatenia Papadimitriou of Greece, in addition to the Egypt ‘A’ Team of Sarah El-Hakem and Zeina Essam.

Both the Junior Girls’ Team and Cadet Girls’ Team events conclude on Thursday 12th October.