by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Impressively, Zhu Yuling beat compatriot and qualifier, Liu Xi (11-7, 11-5, 11-7, 13-11); Chen Meng overcame Japan’s Hitomi Sato, the no.10 seed (11-6, 11-3, 11-9, 5-11, 12-10).
“We played earlier at the China Open as well, so I knew her playing style, furthermore after she won against Wang Yidi in the previous match, I also watched the video so that I was well prepared. I was able to take good control of the match especially in the first three games. I was able to read the spin on the ball. I’m still recovering from jetlag; it’s seven hours difference from China and I felt I played in my dream.” Chen Meng
Comfortable wins for Zhu Yuling and for Chen Meng; for Feng Yalan, likewise there was no great drama. She overcame fellow qualifier, Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem in five games (13-11, 7-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-9).
However, for Wu Yang, Wang Manyu and Chen Ke, life was more exacting; all three faced colleagues who had emerged successful in the qualification tournament. Wu Yang, the no.12 seed, needed six games beat colleague Sheng Dandan (9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-5, 11-8), Chen Ke, also a qualifier, required the full seven to overcome Li Xiaodan (11-3, 6-11, 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 9-11, 11-6).
Close for Chen Ke, it was even closer for Wang Manyu, the no.8 seed; she was stretched to the very limit by Chen Xingtong (11-13, 10-12, 11-9, 13-11, 5-11, 11-6, 12-10).
Three Chinese players in each half of the draw through to the round of the last eight; standing in the way of a semi-final clean sweep is the Japanese duo of Kasumi Ishikawa and Mima Ito.
In the second round of proceedings Mima Ito, the no.5 seed, beat colleague Hina Hayata, the no.13 seed (12-10, 11-8, 15-13, 11-8); Kasumi Ishikawa, the no.3 seed, ended the hopes of Korean qualifier Suh Hyowon (13-11, 11-5, 13-11, 15-17, 11-8).
“We had a really tough match earlier at the Asian Cup; today was another tough match. Today, I was decisive at crucial moments, so I’m happy with very performance. I’ll give myself 70 out of 100. I had problems receiving her serves, it was awkward for me. My goal before coming to the tournament was to make it through the first round. Now that I have done that I’ll play without pressure and try my best for the next round.” Kasumi Ishikawa
At the quarter-final stage Zhu Yuling meets Wang Manyu, Wu Yang opposes Kasumi Ishikawa in what is a repeat of last year’s final. In the opposite half of the draw it is Feng Yalan versus Mima Ito, Chen Ke in opposition to Chen Meng.
The quarter-final matches will be played on Saturday 11th November.
