by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Zhu Yuling beat Chinese Taipei’s Lee I-Chen (11-6, 6-11, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10), Wu Yang, the no.8 seed, accounted for Austria’s Sofia Polcanova (11-7, 11-6, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7).
Success for the defending champion but as matters progressed in the opening round of the Women’s Singles event, for the players who had contested the GAC Group 2014 German Open final, when the tournament was also held in Magdeburg, there were differing fortunes.
The host nation’s Shan Xiaona, the winner and no.15 seed, was beaten by China’s Liu Xi (11-7, 12-10, 11-7, 11-7); conversely for Suh Hyowon, the runner up and this year required to compete in the qualification tournament, it was success. Just as Liu Xi inflicted pain on Germany, so did Suh Hyowon; she accounted for Han Ying, the no.9 seed (5-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 14-12).
Second round places for Zhu Yuling, Wu Yang and Liu Xi; in the top half of the draw it was the same for their colleagues Chen Xingtong, Wang Manyu and Sheng Dandan,
Required to compete in the qualification tournament, Chen Xingtong upset the order of merit by beating Korea’s Jeon Jihee, the no.14 seed (9-11, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-8); likewise, Sheng Dandan defied the world order. She overcame Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching, the no.7 seed (11-8, 12-10, 11-3, 11-9).
Wins contrary to expectations for Chen Xingtong and Sheng Dandan, for Wang Manyu it was expected but of the Chinese contingent in the top half of the draw, she was the player to experience the greatest test. The no.8 seed, she had to recover from a two games to nil deficit to beat Hong Kong’s experienced Jiang Huajun (3-11, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-8).
Impressive performances from six Chinese players and one Korean; completing the top half of Women’s Singles first round draw, there was a fine effort by one Japanese young lady. Kasumi Ishikawa, the no.3 seed, beat Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Hsien-Tu.
In the top half of the Women’s Singles draw, China is guaranteed three places. Zhu Yuling meets Liu Xi, Chen Xingtong opposes Wang Manyu; Sheng Dandan confronts Wu Yang. In the one remaining contest it is Suh Hyowon versus Kasumi Ishikawa.
The matches are scheduled for later in the evening.
