by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Runners up one year ago, the crucial stage of the contest unquestionably came in the second game when, one game point was saved before victory was secured; more relaxed, more confident, the third game was gained with comparative ease.

“I think we played very convincingly despite the fact we should have done a bit better in terms of unforced errors and serve receive. We will need to be better in the semi-final.” Georgina Pota

Success for the silver medallists in 2017, there was also success for the gold medallist of one year ago at the quarter-final stage of proceedings. China’s Chen Xingtong who had won the title in partnership with Li Jiayi, emerged victorious in harness with colleague Sun Yingsha. The no.3 seeds, the duo accounted for India’s Manika Batra and Mouma Das, the no.5 seeds (11-5, 11-6, 11-8).

A place in the semi-finals for one Chinese combination, it was the same for another; Chen Ke and Wang Manyu, the no.7 seeds, upset the pecking order to end the hopes of Hong Kong’s Ng Wing Nam and Minnie Soo Wai Yam, the no.4 seeds (11-5, 11-7, 11-4).

Defeat for Hong Kong but there was success; Doo Hoi Kem and Lee Ho Ching, the top seeds, accounted for Polish qualifiers Katarzyna Grzybowska-Franc and Natalia Partyka (14-12, 11-6, 11-9).

“In the first game we made carless mistakes that almost cost us, we won by just the two point margin. We were very focused thereafter and just kept the ball on the table as much as we could. Personally I think I will need a better preparation for the semi-final to be able to help my partner more; she played exceptionally well in this match.” Doo Hoi Kem

At the quarter-final stage Doo Hoi Kem and Lee Ho Ching meet Chen Xingtong and Sun Yingsha; Chen Ke and Wang Manyu oppose Matilda Ekholm and Georgina Pota.

The matches are scheduled to be played later in the day at 7.20pm (local time).