by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

The win meant first place in the group and progress to the main draw for Nadezhda Bogdanova; for Sara Ramirez it was the end of adventures.

Success for Nadezhda Bogdanova contrary to expectations, in the matches that brought the group phase to a conclusion it was the same for colleague Marharyta Baltushite; she accounted for India’s Mouma Das (8-11, 9-11, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10, 11-4).

On the current Women’s World Ranking list, Sara Ramirez is named at no.134, Nadezhda Bogdanova at no.301; meanwhile Mouma Das is at no.138, Marharyta Baltushite at no.298.

Success against the odds for Belarus, there was also one result in the opposite direction; named at no.170 on the current listings, Alina Arlouskaya was beaten by Austria’s Karoline Mischek named at no.285 (8-11, 11-8, 13-11, 10-12, 11-9, 11-6).

Top place contrary to expectations for Karoline Mischek, it was the same for Charlotte Carey of Wales named at no.243 on the Women’s World Rankings and for Japan’s Yumeno Soma, listed at no.217.

Charlotte Carey beat Italy’s Deborak Vivarelli, who stands at no.196 (7-11, 11-5, 11-3, 6-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7), Yomena Soma accounted for Oceane Guisnel of France, ranked no.198 (10-12, 11-9, 11-4, 11-6, 11-9).

Surprise first places not amongst the very top names; the Czech Republic’s Dana Cechova and Switzerland’s Rachel Moret, alongside the French duo of Laura Gasnier and Stéphanie Loueillette all secured first positions in the respective groups.