by Ian Marshall, Editor
Byun Seoyoung is the senior member of the group, she is 14 years old, Kim Nayeong is one year younger; Miwa Harimoto, the younger sister of Tomokazu, is only 10 years of age!
All three booked their quarter-final places courtesy of success against host association opposition; the pick of the performances being that of Kim Nayeong. She beat Fang Sih-Han (2-11, 11-8, 11-8, 4-11, 11-4, 11-5), the winner one week earlier in El Salvador.
Likewise, Byun Seoyoung accounted for a name in form, first place in her initial stage group the previous day ahead of Chinese Taipei’s Su Pei-Ling, the top seed, she ended the hopes of Cai Fong-En, also from Chinese Taipei (11-9, 6-11, 11-1, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9). Notably in the opening round Cai Fong-En had beaten Hong Kong’s Chau Wing Sze, the no.2 seed (11-6, 14-12, 6-11, 7-11, 11-3, 12-10).
A hard fought second round win for Byun Seoyoung; it was the same for Miwa Harimoto, she beat the host association’s Chang Ju-Chia in seven games (10-12, 6-11, 11-7, 6-11, 11-9, 14-12, 11-8).
Success for visitors, in the remaining second round Junior Girls’ Singles matches it was success for the hosts with Huang Yu-Jie and Yu Hsiu-Ting causing the upsets. Huang Yu-Jie overcame colleague Wen Ruei-Ling, the no.8 seed (11-7, 11-8, 11-6, 11-9), Yu Hsiu-Ting accounted for Hong Kong’s Lee Ka Yee, the no.5 seed (11-6, 4-11, 11-6, 11-9, 4-11, 11-7).
Wins against the odds; for Su Pei-Ling, Chen Ting-Ting and Tsai Yu-Chin it was as per status.
After accounting for Hong Kong’s Wong Chin Yau, the no.4 seed, in the opening round (11-4, 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 6-11, 9-11, 11-2), Su Pei-Ling overcame colleague Chien Tung-Chuan (9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8, 6-11, 9-11, 11-6).
Similarly, Chen Ting-Ting the no.3 seed, beat Japan’s Reina Aso (11-7, 11-8, 4-11, 10-12, 9-11, 11-6, 12-10), who one round earlier had ousted India’s Selena Selvakumar, the no.5 seed (11-9, 8-11, 13-11, 11-5, 11-5). Meanwhile, Tsai Yu-Chin, the no.8 seed, ended the hopes of colleague Hsu Yi-Chen (6-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 14-12).
Prominent in the Junior Girls’ Singles event, the hosts are even more prominent in the Junior Girls’ Doubles quarter-finals; they field five of the eight pairs.
Chen Ting-Ting and Su Pei-Ling meet Singapore’s Goi Rui Xuan and Wong Xin Rau; Fang Sih-Han and Tsai Yu-Chin face Ser Lin Qian and Zhou Jingyi, also from Singapore. Meanwhile, in the opposite half of the draw, Cai Fong-En and Wen Ruei-Ling confront colleagues Chang Ju-Chia and Fang Ting-Li; Chien Tung-Chien and Yu Hsiu-Ting play Hong Kong’s Chau Wing Sze and Lee Ka Yee.
Proceedings at the 2018 Chinese Taipei Junior and Cadet Open conclude on Sunday 26th August.
