by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Both recorded impressive straight games quarter-final wins.

Honoka Hashimoto proved too secure with her defensive skills in opposition to Chinese Taipei qualifier Tsiu Pao-Wen (11-8, 11-3, 11-8, 12-10); somewhat conversely, Yang Haeun employed her attacking skills to good effect and remained patient, to end the hopes of India’s Manika Batra. The close to the table style of Manika Batra, using long pimpled rubber on the backhand, has upset many an adversary; not Yang Haeun, a comprehensive win was posted (11-4, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8).

Success for the third and fourth seeds but it was defeat at the quarter-final stage for the top seed, Suh Hyowon; however, to term the defeat an upset would not be accurate. She lost to compatriot Jeon Jihee, the no.8 seed, in five games (11-8, 5-11, 11-2, 19-17, 11-6); in such contests, with familiarity being high, ranking can count for nought.

However, to some extent it was revenge for Jeon Jihee, the two had met in the same round and in the same city at the 2013 ITTF World Tour Polish Open; on that occasion Suh Hyowon had won. Later at the 2016 Asian Olympic Games qualification tournament in Hong Kong, Jeon Jihee had turned the tables.

At the semi-final stage Jeon Jihee meets Honoka Hashimoto, Yang Haeun meets Ukraine qualifier Margaryta Pesotska; she received a quarter-final walk-over when due to face Pauline Chasselin of France.

The semi-final programme commences at 11.00 (local time) on Friday 16th March.