by Simon Daish
Sakura Mori has become well known across the globe for her spectacular on-court celebrations best witnessed at the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour India Open in February.
Competing in New Delhi as the sixth seeded player in the Women’s Singles draw, Sakura Mori defied the odds to lift her first trophy in the category on the ITTF World Tour with a superb display against Sweden’s Matilda Ekholm in the final.
There was further success for the Japanese star at the event, proving victorious earlier in the week with her capture of the Under 21 Women’s Singles gold medal.
No doubt her triumph in India was a standout moment in Mori’s career, but the 21-year-old also impressed six months later with positive outings against Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz and fellow Japanese competitor Miyu Maeda leading to a quarter-finals finish at the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Asarel Bulgaria Open.
Mori is one of six Japanese players set to appear in the Women’s Singles draw at the ITTF World Tour Grand Finals with Kasumi Ishikawa, Mima Ito, Hina Hayata, Miu Hirano and Hitomi Sato also competing in Astana.
While she might not be the title favourite heading into the season finale in Kazakhstan, Sakura Mori is certainly a name to watch out for in an exciting Women’s Singles field.
