by Ian Marshall, Editor
Both Chen Yi and Yang Yiyun booked their places in the penultimate round courtesy of success in opposition to Hong Kong. Chen Yi beat Ng Wing Lam (14-12, 11-8, 11-8); Yang Yiyun accounted for Phoebe Hui Wai (11-9, 11-3, 7-11, 11-5).
Notable performances but they were overshadowed by the efforts of Haruna Ojio and Kaho Akae.
Haruna Ojio who the previous day had celebrated her 13th birthday, like her Chinese counterparts, caused Hong Kong pain.
After overcoming Ma Yat Sum (11-8, 11-4, 11-8), she ended the hopes of Yenn Ho Ching, the no.9 seed (11-8, 11-3, 11-3) and very much a player in form. One round earlier she had overcome Karen Lee Hoi Man, the no.14 seed (11-5, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7), the player who the previous day had beaten Anna Hursey of Wales, the no.4 seed (13-15, 11-5, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8) to secure first place in her group.
Progress for Haruna Ojio without causing an upset; it was different for 14 year old Kaho Akae.
Occupying the no.10 seeded position in the competition; after accounting for Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Pu-Syuan, the no.16 seed (12-10, 9-11, 11-7, 11-13, 11-3), the young lady who the previous day had beaten Singapore’s Zhou Jingyi, the no.3 seed (7-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-4), Kaho Akae caused a major upset. She overcame China’s Li Yuqi, the no.6 seed but more pertinently the player who had gone through the whole of the Cadet Girls’ Team event unbeaten. Imposingly, Kaho Akae won in three straight games (11-8, 12-10, 11-8).
At the semi-final stage Chen Yi meets Haruna Ojio, Kaho Akae faces Yang Yiyun.
Success for Kaho Akae contrary to expectations in the Cadet Girls’ Singles event; it was the same in the Cadet Girls’ Doubles when partnering colleague Fuwa Yumoto. The no.7 seeds, at the quarter-final stage they beat the combination of Canada’s Patricia Hui and Anna Hursey of Wales, the no.3 seeds (11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8), to reserve their semi-final place.
In the penultimate round they meet Hong Kong’s Phoebe Hui Wai and Ng Wing Lam, the no.2 seeds; in the opposite half of the draw Chen Yi and Li Yuqi, the top seeds, oppose Hong Kong’s Chelsea Chan Siu Lam and Yenn Ho Ching, the no.4 seeds.
Play concludes in Hong Kong on Sunday 5th August.
