by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Contrary to expectations, she beat Ukraine’s Solomiya Brateyko, the no.8 seed (12-10, 11-6, 14-12), prior to recovering from a two games to nil deficit to overcome Russia’s Valeria Shcherbatykh (2-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-9) to reserve her place in the quarter-finals.

Good form en route to the last eight; that form continued. She accounted for Japan’s Asuka Sasao, the no.4 seed (7-11, 11-7, 9-11, 15-13, 11-7) to reserve her place in the penultimate round.

Wins against expectations for Pauline Chasselin; it was the very same for Satuski Odo, the no.12 seed; she accounted for colleague, Miyuu Kihara, the no.3 seed, in round two (8-11, 11-8, 11-8, 8-11, 11-4) prior to recording a quarter-final success in opposition to Chinese Taipei’s Li Yu-Jhun, the no.7 seed (11-9, 11-6, 11-1).

At the semi-final stage both players face Japanese adversaries. Pauline Chasselin opposes Saki Shibata, the top seed and the player who is seeking an unprecedented four consecutive Under 21 Women’s Singles titles at open international championships, Satsuki Odo plays Maki Shiomi.

In the round of the last eight both Saki Shbata and Maki Shiomi recorded impressive straight games win. Saki Shibata, the top seed, beat Serbia’s Izabela Lupulesku, the no.15 seed (11-5, 11-2, 11-8), in a similar manner, Maki Shiomi, the no.2 seed, ended the hopes of Austria’s Karoline Mischek, the no.13 seed (11-9, 11-4, 11-3).

The Under 21 Women’s Singles event will be played to a conclusion on Friday 13th April.