by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Success for Bernadette Szocs as anticipated but there was one surprise in the quarter-final round of the Women’s Singles event.

In an all Japanese affair Saki Shibata, the no.5 seed, accounted for Yui Hamamoto, the no.3 seed. Impressively, she prevailed in five games (11-6, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9, 11-1) to book her place in the penultimate round.

Otherwise, as with Bernadette Szocs, it was the favourites who prevailed; Hina Hayata also from Japan alongside Korea’s Jeon Jihee, the respective top two seeds, both enjoyed success.

Hina Hayata accounted for Choi Hyojoo, the no.7 seed and like Jeon Jihee from Korea (14-12, 12-10, 12-14, 11-6, 11-7); in a very similar vein, Jeon Jihee overcame Luxembourg’s vastly experienced Ni Xialian (11-6, 11-9, 11-13, 11-2, 11-9).

At the semi-final stage Hina Hayata meets Bernadette Szocs; Saki Shibata confronts Jeon Jihee.

The matches are scheduled to be staged on Sunday 26th November, the concluding day of play in Almeria.