by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager
The top 16 players not required to compete in the qualification phase she accounted for Singapore’s Goi Rui Xuan, the second highest rated player in initial stage duty. In an impressive manner she emerged successful in three straight games (11-9, 11-4, 12-10), ending the day unbeaten.
Defeat for Goi Rui Xuan but it was her only defeat, she concluded the group in second place and thus booked her place in the main draw; players finishing in first and second positions in each group advanced to the knock-out rounds.
Success against the highest rated player to secure first place; it was the same for Choi Jiin who beat Malaysia’s Chang Li Sian Alice (8-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5). Similarly, Hong Sunsu overcame Sweden’s Rebecca Muskantor (12-10, 11-8, 7-11, 11-6); Lee Daeun defeated Singapore’s Zhou Jingyi (11-3, 11-9, 11-8).
Not to be overlooked, it was the same situation for Park Chaewon; she remained unbeaten to top her group, notably accounting for Thailand’s Monapsorn Saritapirak (11-7, 6-11, 11-13, 11-9, 11-9).
Similar to Goi Rui Xuan it was the only defeat for Chang Li Sian Alice and Zhou Jingyi; alas for Rebecca Muskantor and Monapsorn Saritapirak, there were further problems, third place in the group and no progress to the main draw being the outcome. In addition Rebecca Muskantor was beaten by Japan’s Nayu Satogawa (11-5, 10-12, 11-8, 11-7), Monapsorn Saritapirak lost to Iran’s Shima Safaei (11-6, 11-6, 10-12, 11-7). Nayu Satogawa and Shima Safaei duly concluded play in second positions in the respective groups.
Korean players upsetting the odds by beating the highest rated player in the group, it was the same but to a lesser extent for China, Japan and the host nation.
Japan’s Reina Nakata beat Thailand’s Naja Mekamporn (11-5, 11-4, 11-5), colleague Miyabe Manabe overcame Hong Kong’s Ng Wing Lam (11-7, 7-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5). Meanwhile China’s Yang Yiyun accounted for Singapore’s Eunice Lim (12-10, 11-2, 11-3); Acraporn Doungjan flew the Thai flag. She beat Tan En Hui also from the host nation.
Unexpected defeats for Naja Mekamporn, Ng Wing Lam, Eunice Lim and Tan En Hui; however, it was their only defeat and thus all progressed to the main draw.
Play continues in the Junior Girls’ Singles event on Saturday 12th May; at the close of play, the quarter-finalists will be known.
