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ITTF Challenge

2018 ITTF Challenge, Belgium Open

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Challenge Series

Kuo Chi-Yun in form; upsets global order

24 Oct 2018

A measure of success two years ago on the 2016 ITTF World Junior Circuit, having been a Junior Girls’ Singles quarter-finalist in Thailand and a semi-finalist in Jordan, Chinese Taipei’s Kuo Chia-Yuan was very much the player to attract the attention, as proceedings came to a close on the opening day of action, Tuesday 23rd October, at the 2018 ITTF Challenge Belgium Open in De Haan.

In the second preliminary round of the Under 21 Women’s Singles event, the 20 year old accounted for England’s Tin-Tin Ho in a full distance five games duel (11-5, 6-11, 7-11, 11-4, 11-6); presently on the Under 21 Women’s World Rankings, Tin-Tin Ho is named at no.35, Kuo Chi-Yun at no.190.

Kuo Chia-Yun who beat Tin-Tin Ho (Photo: Ireneusz Kanabrodzki)

by Ian Marshall, Editor

Success for Kuo Chi-Yun was one of four surprise outcomes as the round progressed.

In a similar vein, India’s Sreeja Akula beat Norway’s Ilka Duval (11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8), Turkey’s Olga Yilmaz accounted for Nadezhda Bogdanova of Belarus (11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8). Meanwhile, not to be upstaged China’s Guo Xinyi halted the aspirations of Selena Selvakumar, like Sreeja Akula from India (11-5, 11-5, 11-5).

Presently on the Under 21 Women’s World Rankings, Sreeja Akula is named at no.84 as opposed to Ilka Doval listed at no.62; similarly Olga Yilmez stands at no.79, Nadezhda Bogdanova occupies the no.43 spot. Somewhat differently, Guo Xinyi has no global status; Selena Selvakumar reserves the no.67 place.

Impressive performances and there were two more but in line with the world order. The host nation’s Margo Degraef beat Russia’s Daria Shadrina (12-10, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9); Hungary’s 19 year old Leonie Hartbrich ended the hopes of Algeria’s Hiba Feredj (11-7, 13-11, 11-7).

“The match was not so easy for me. I was struggling a bit, especially mentally. Of course I am happy to win. To go further in the tournament I need to improve my level of play. There are a lot of top players in this tournament and that is a good experience for me. I am the youngest Hungarian player present here and I am happy that I can get some advice from the older players of my country.” Leonie Hartbricht

Preliminary stages over, the main draw in the Under 21 Women’s Singles event commences on Thursday 25th October.

Challenge Series 2018 Belgium Open Kuo Chi-Yun

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Day 3 - 2018 ITTF Challenge Belgium Open

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