by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

A surprise in Class 5, in Class 9-10 likewise organised on a group all-play-all basis, there was also an upset.

Xiong Guiyan, Liu Meng and Kong Wenjie, the top seeds, experienced defeat at the hands of Chinese national team colleagues, Hou Chunxiao and Zhao Xiaojing, the no.3 seed; a two matches to nil verdict being the outcome.

The win makes Hou Chunxiao and Zhao Xiaojing hot favourites for the title; additionally, they recorded two-nil wins against the second seeded combination of Chinese Taipei’s Tian Shiau-Wen and Australia’s Andrea McDonnell, as well as against the host nation trio formed by Wachiraporn Thermoya, Chayanan Settisrikoedkun and Kulsasiporn Thanapornviwat.

In their concluding fixture Hou Chunxiao and Zhao Xiaojing face Japan’s Nozomi Takeuchi and Megumi Ishikawa; notably earlier in the proceedings they beat Wachiraporn Thermoya and Chayanan Settisrikoedkun by two matches to nil but experienced defeat by the same margin when facing Tian Shiau-Wen and Andrea McDonnell.

Meanwhile, in the remaining categories in the Women’s Team events, after the initial series of fixtures, the leading outfits remain unbeaten.

Organised on a group basis, in Class 2-3, China’s Xue Juan, Li Qian and Yang Zhonghui, the top seeds, remain unbeaten as do the second seeds, Korea’s Yoon Jiyu, Lee Migyu and Seo Suyeon. It is the same scenario in Class 4 with China’s Zhou Ying and Gu Xiaodan alongside the next in the order of merit, Chinese Taipei’s Lu Pi-Chun and Lee Ya-Chu unbeaten.

Impressive from China, it was the very same in Class 6-8 where there were two groups in the initial phase; Ma Jingdian and Li Guiying alongside Wang Rui and Yu Hailan duly finished in respective first places.

Play concludes in Suphan Buri on Saturday 21st October.

2017 Thailand Para Open: Latest Results and Forthcoming Matches