by Ian Marshall, Editor
Most notably China advanced; six players on duty, none listed amongst the highest rated in their respective groups, all remained unbeaten in the initial phase, all negotiated the opening round.
Zhang Xiangyu booked her second round place courtesy of success against Ukraine’s Veronika Hud (11-9, 11-4, 11-6, 11-5). Similarly in the opening round, Li Ruonan accounted for the host nation’s Klara Bardac (11-9, 11-7, 11-7, 11-4), Li Yake beat India’s Prapti Sen (9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 13-11, 13-11), whilst Kuai Man ended the hopes of Hungary’s Anna Fejos 11-7, 11-8, 11-8, 11-6).
Likewise, there was no charity shown by Zuo Yue or by Xie Jiatong; both beat Singaporean adversaries in their opening round contests. Zuo Yue, who earlier this year had won in Spain, overcame Tan En Hui (11-5, 11-7, 11-6, 11-3); Xie Jiatong defeated Wong Xin Ru (11-9, 7-11, 14-12, 12-10, 11-8).
First place in the group contrary to expectations, followed by an opening round success, it was the same for Russia’s Liubov Tentser, India’s Anusha Kutumbale and Chinese Taipei’s Tsai Yun-En. Liubov Tentser maintained her progress by beating Hungary’s Helga Daria (11-7, 11-13, 11-6, 11-1, 11-7), Anusha Kutumbale overcame Denmark’s Sophie Walloe (11-9, 11-8, 11-3, 11-9). Not to be outdone, Tsai Yun-En prevailed against India’s Anargya Manjunath (12-10, 11-7, 11-3, 11-6), a player who likewise had finished in first place in her group contrary to predictions.
Surprises and there were also surprise defeats for players who had received direct main draw entries. Slovenia’s Aleksandra Vovk, the no.10 seed was beaten in the opening round by Germany’s Laura Tiefenbrunner (9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 13-11, 13-11), Singapore’s Goi Rui Xuan, the no.12 seed, suffered at the hands of India’s Diya Parag Chitale (8-11, 11-8, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7). In a similar manner, Hungary’s Fanni Harasztovich lost to Anasatasia Bondareva, like Laura Tiefenbrunner from Germany (7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 13-11, 11-5).
Problems but not for the very top names; the top eight on the list, in addition to Leili Mostafavi of France, the no.9 seed and Chinese Taipei’s Cai Fong-En, the no.14 seed, all start their quest for honours in round two on the second day of action.
On the opening day of play, for Chinese Taipei’s Chen Ting-Ting, Egypt’s Marwa Alhodaby, Poland’s Anna Wegrzyn and Thailand’s Jinnipa Sawettabut, it was a time to watch and wait. It was the same for Germany’s Franziska Schreiner and Croatia’s Andrea Pavlovic, as it was for the Russian duo of Kristina Kazatseva and Ekaterina Zironova.
A day to gain some rest and that rest will be needed, on Thursday 13th September the Junior Girls’ Singles event will be played to a conclusion.
