by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager
Zuo Yue beat Chinese Taipei’s Lee En-Chi (11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5), at the same time Hu Yueyan accounted for Korea’s Lee Sooyeon (11-7, 11-7, 11-7) in a competition where the only safe option to gain a place in the main draw is top spot in the group.
Players finishing in first place in each of the 15 initial phase groups, plus one “Lucky Loser” drawn at random from the second places players, join the 16 seeds in the first round proper.
Success for Hu Yueyan and Zuo Yue; in the opening exchanges in the Under 21 Women’s Singles events, there were also successes for colleagues Yuan Yuan, Yu Yifan, Zhai Yujia and Han Guoyu but not for Zhang Xueen.
Yuan Yuan and Zhai Yujia both overcame Singaporean adversaries; Yuan Yuan beat Wong Xin Ru (11-3, 11-5, 11-8), Zhai Yujia accounted for Tan En Hui (11-7, 11-4, 11-3). Similarly, Yu Yifan beat Korea’s Kang Eunji (11-9, 11-7, 11-9); Han Guoyu defeated Thailand’s Nanapat Kola (4-11, 11-2, 11-6, 11-4). Alas for Zhang Xueen it was defeat at the hands Kim Hayeong, like Jang Eunji from Korea (11-5, 11-9, 11-1).
Defeat for the host nation as matters commenced in the Under 21 Women’s Singles qualification stage but there were notable successes. Naja Mekamporn beat Korea’s Shim Minjoo (6-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8) and Monapsorn Saritapirak overcame India’s Swastika Ghosh in the closest match of the of the opening series (9-11, 17-15, 13-11, 5-11, 13-11).
Play in the qualification stage of the Under 21 Women’s Singles event concludes on Thursday 17th May.
