Tournaments

ITTF Challenge

2018 ITTF Challenge, Spanish Open

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Challenge Series

Proud tradition, future for Hong Kong most promising

28 Mar 2018

Medallists time and again in the women’s event at the World Team Championships, always contenders for honours; following the opening matches in the Women's Singles qualification tournament for places at the ITTF Challenge 2018 Spanish Open in Guadalajara, for Hong Kong, positions on the steps of podium at major events would appear to very much the continued scenario.

On the morning of Wednesday 28th March, Liu Qi, Lam Yee Lok, Zhu Chengzhu and Li Ching Wan all enjoyed success.

Lam Yee Lok made an impressive start in Guadalajara (Photo: Ireneusz Kanabrodzki)

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Furthermore, no member of the quartet was extended the full distance.

Liu Qi beat Katsiaryna Baravok of Belarus (12-10, 11-7, 11-3, 11-9), Lam Yee Lok accounted for the host nation’s Nerea Garcia (11-6, 11-5, 11-2, 11-6).  Similarly, Zhu Chengzhu and Li Ching Wan displayed fine form; both overcame French opposition. Zhu Chengzhu beat Leili Mostafavi, a quarter-finalist the previous week at the 2018 Tunisia Junior and Cadet Open (11-8, 7-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-9); Li Ching Wan accounted for Laura Pfeffer (11-4, 13-11, 11-4, 11-7).

Equally, there were impressive performances from Korea; Yoon Hyobin, Kim Youjin and Sim Hyunju, all excelled.

Yoon Hyobin beat Italy’s Chiara Colantoni in a close five games duel (6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-7, 11-5); rather more comfortably, Kim Youjin defeated the Czech Republic’s Karin Adamikova (6-11, 11-4, 11-4, 11-3, 11-8), whilst Sim Hyunju overcame Argentina’s Agustina Iwasa (11-6, 7-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-6).

Notably both Karin Adamkova and Agustina Iwasa started the day as the highest rated players in their respective groups. It was the same situation for Finland’s Anna Kirichenko; she was beaten by the in-form Romanian, Arina Singeorzan (11-13, 14-12, 11-3, 11-6, 11-8).

Imposing performances from foreign shores and there was one from the host nation to catch the eye; Ana Garcia beat Italy’s Veronika Mosconi (11-8, 11-2, 5-11, 11-6, 11-8). On the current Women’s World Rankings, Ana Garcia is listed at no.589, Veronika Mosconi and no.516.

Players finishing in first place in each of the 16 qualification groups join the 16 seeds in the main draw.

Challenge Series 2018 Spanish Open Liu Qi Lam Yee Lok Zhu Chengzhu Li Ching Wan

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