by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager
Lee Sooyeon booked her main draw place courtesy of success against Tiffany Ke of the United States (11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7); Zhang Wenjing overcame Korea’s Park Chaewon (11-5, 8-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-7).
Rather more dramatically, Kang Eunji recovered from a three games to nil deficit to beat Chinese Taipei’s Lin Po-Hsuan (8-11, 3-11, 13-15, 11-8, 13-11, 11-5), whilst Fang Sih-Han defeated Korea’s Kim Jonghwa (11-5, 11-4, 11-6, 11-6). At the same time, by the very narrowest of margins, Lee Ka Yee defeated India’s Selena Selvakumar (16-18, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9).
“I was a bit too nervous when I fell behind. In the last game I was down 1-5 but I just tried not to think about the match and play like it’s just 0-0. I’m surprised and happy because my results these last two days have been much better than I expected!” Lee Ka Yee
Surprise first places, lower down the order it was the same for Korea’s Kim Mingyung and Kang Dayeon as it was for China’s Zuo Yue and Yu Yifan. Likewise, contrary to predictions it was first place for Japan’s Harina Ojio and India’s Ankita Das.
Meanwhile, as status advised Korea’s Yoon Hyobin, Kim Danbi, and Sim Hyunju secured top spots, a feat also achieved by Russia’s Elena Troshneva.
Players finishing in first and second positions in each group advance the main draw which commences on Friday 18th May.
