by Ian Marshall, Editor
Eventually for Mak Tze Wing it was a comfortable conclusion to proceedings, for Hungary’s Bernadett Balint, also involved in a seven games encounter, the decision rested on the proverbial knife-edge until the very last point. She eventually overcame Japan’s Marina Matsuzawa in a cliff hanging contest (5-11, 15-13, 12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 6-11, 12-10).
“It was a very difficult match against the Japanese player. In the last set I had several match points but let her come back. Eventually I won by the smallest of margins. My goal was to get on the main draw. I hope I can cause some upsets.” Bernadett Balint
Wins by narrow margins, it was the same for Switzerland’s Céline Reust as play in the lower half of the Women’s Singles draw progressed, she needed the full seven games to beat Argentina’s Camila Arguelles (4-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 15-13, 4-11, 11-7).
Close calls, conversely there were those who displayed no charity to record straight games wins; Germany’s Wan Yuan, in particular being impressive. She accounted for Hungary’s Leonie Hartbricht (11-7, 11-4, 11-8, 11-6).
“I am really happy about my first match here. My goal was to qualify for the main draw. Now I have nothing to lose. There are many experienced players here and I am curious to see what I can do against them. In the Under 21 Women’s Singles I am seeded and can aim high but for me Women’s Singles is a more important competition.” Wan Yuan
Success in straight games, as the second preliminary round, the round to determine main draw places, concluded there were similar successes. The Czech Republic’s Karin Adamkova, Audrey Zarif of France and the host nation’s Nathalie Marchetti all succeeded without surrendering s single game as did Italy’s Li Xiang and the Korea Republic duo comprising Park Seri and Kim Youjin.
Karin Adamkova beat Serbia’s Anelia Lupulesku (11-7, 14-12, 15-13, 13-11), Audrey Zarif accounted for Denmark’s Stefanie Christensen (11-9, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5), whilst Nathalie Marchetti defeated Norway’s Rebekka Carlsen (11-5, 11-6, 11-8, 11-5).
Likewise, Li Xiang overcame Chinese Taipei’s Lin Po-Hsuan (11-6, 11-3, 11-6, 11-7), Park Seri prevailed against Oceane Guisnel, like Audrey Zarif from France (11-6, 11-2, 11-8, 11-6); not to be overlooked Kim Youjin ended the hopes of Hong Kong’s Liu Qi (11-6, 11-8, 11-6, 11-5).
Play in the main draw commences on Thursday 25th October.
