by Ian Marshall, Editor

Notably at ITTF Challenge Series tournaments, she won both the Women’s Singles and Under 21 Women’s Singles titles in Croatia and Spain, as well as succeeding in the latter in Slovenia and on the Seamaster ITTF World Tour in Germany.

Impressive from the now 33 year old Georgina Pota, it was the same from the Chinese trio a generation younger, all qualifiers. Liu Xi beat Germany’s Han Ying, the no.14 seed (11-9, 11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10), Wang Yidi overcame Puerto Rico’s Adriana Diaz, the no.15 seed (11-7, 11-5, 11-7, 6-11, 11-3). Similarly, Lu Gaoyang emerged successful, she overcame fellow qualifier, Italy’s Li Xiang (11-4, 11-2, 11-3, 14-16, 5-11, 11-9).

Success for three players who had been required to compete in the two day qualification tournament, for two more it was defeat; Wen Jia, also from China was beaten by her redoubtable colleague Ding Ning, the no.6 seed (11-6, 11-8, 11-8, 14-12), Germany’s Nina Mittelham experienced defeat at the hands of Japan’s Miu Hirano, the no.3 seed (11-2, 11-2, 11-4, 11-4).

Impressive from Miu Hirano, it was the same from colleagues, Kasumi Ishikawa and Hitomi Sato.

Kasumi Ishikawa, the top seed and defending champion, accounted for Romania’s Bernadette Szocs, the no.12 seed (8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-9, 11-1). Hitomi Sato, the no.4 seed, ended the hopes of compatriot and doubles partner, Honoka Hashimoto (11-4, 11-7, 11-4, 11-7).

At the quarter-final stage Kasumi Ishikawa meets Ding Ning, Liu Gaoyang opposes Miu Hirano; in the opposite half of the draw, Hitomi Sato confronts Georgina Pota, Liu Xi is the adversary for Wang Yidi.

The contest between Wang Yidi and Liu Xi, as well as that involving Hitomi Sato and Georgina Pota will be played later in the day in the evening session of play; the top half of the draw engagements will be staged on the morning of Saturday 18th August.