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2017 ITTF Challenge, Belgium Open

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Challenge Series

Leading names reserve main draw places but endure exacting moments

31 Oct 2017

The leading names on duty in the Women’s Singles qualification tournament for the 2017 ITTF Challenge Belgium Open in De Haan, when matters concluded on the opening day of play, Tuesday 31st October, all had secured main draw places.

However, in their initial stage concluding matches, there were some moments of concern; no member of the top four quartet experienced success with dropping at least one game.

First place in the group as anticipated for Tin-Tin Ho (Photo: Ireneusz Kanabrodzki)

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yu-Wen, the second highest listed name on duty, needed five games to beat Nolwenn Fort of France (11-9, 7-11, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7); however, for Russia’s Olga Kulikova, the highest rated, as for Oceane Guisnel of France and England’s Tin-Tin Ho, the third and fourth names in the opening day order of merit, six games were needed.

Olga Kulikova beat Chile’s Daniela Ortega (11-7, 11-2, 7-11, 3-11, 11-5, 11-4); in a similar manner Oceane Guisnel overcame Italy’s Veronica Mosconi (11-4, 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 13-15, 11-9). Hard fought wins, it was the very same for Tin-Tin Ho. She was given plenty of food for thought by India’s Mallika Bhadarkar (9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 17-15, 11-8).

Wins as anticipated but further down the order there were surprises as the Women’s Singles qualification groups closed.

Leading names in their respective groups, Italy’s Giorgia Piccolin was beaten India’s Sreeja Ajuka (11-7, 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 19-17); Spain’s Zhang Xuan suffered at the hands of Austria’s Karoline Mischek (12-10, 11-8, 11-9, 16-14), whilst Russia’s Kristina Kasatseva experienced defeat at the hands of the Czech Republic’s Karolina Mynarova (11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8).

Defeats for the three notables but their only defeat and with second placed finishers advancing to a preliminary round, a place in the main draw is still an option.

However, for Switzerland’s Rahel Ashwanden and Belgium’s Eline Loyen the door is firmly closed.

The highest rated players in their respective groups, after losing to Korea’s Kim Eunji (8-11, 9-11, 11-9, 13-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-7), Rahel Aschwanden was beaten by Nathalie Marchetti (9-11, 12-10, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7), like Eline Loyen from Belgium.

Similarly, Eline Loyen suffered at the hands Luxembourg’s Tessy Gonderinger, losing by the very narrowest of margins (1-11, 11-7, 5-11, 11-9, 9-11, 6-11, 12-10), having earlier in the day been beaten by Croatia’s Sun Jiayi (11-9, 11-5, 11-2, 11-2).

Play in the Women’s Singles qualification tournament concludes on Wednesday 1st November.

Challenge Series Tin-Tin Ho Olga Kulikova Oceane Guisnel Huang Yu-Wen

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Day 3 - 2017 Belgium Open