by Ian Marshall, Editor
Success for Guo Xinyi in the second round of the Women’s Singles event; she caused the biggest surprise but she was not the only notable name to upset the pecking order.
Hong Kong’s Zhu Chengzhu, India’s Ayhika Mukherjee and the Korea Republic’s Shin Yubin, alongside Audrey Zarif of France, all qualifiers like Guo Xinyi, continued to upset the order of merit.
Zhu Chengzhu eventually overcame the Czech Republic’s Dana Cechova, the no.24 seed, in a full distance seven games contest (12-10, 9-11, 11-4, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-2); likewise in a closely fought engagement, Ayhika Mukherjee beat Switzerland’s Rachel Moret, the no.18 seed (10-12, 11-2, 4-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8).
Similarly, in a duel that was only marginally less intense, Shin Yubin ended the hopes of Stéphanie Loeuillette of France (10-12, 11-2, 12-10, 11-2, 9-11, 12-10), rather more comfortably Audrey Zarif, somewhat atoned for her colleague’s defeat, she overcame Italy’s Giorgia Piccolin, the no.21 seed (11-5, 11-8, 11-9, 11-8).
Progress to the third round of the Women’s Singles event for four players who had been required to compete in the preliminary rounds; in addition there was progress for more such player. Furthermore, there was more success for Korea Republic. Kim Youjin beat fellow qualifier, Poland’s Natalia Bajor (11-6, 12-14, 14-12, 11-7, 11-7).
Outcomes contrary to status it was the same for Monaco’s Yang Xiaoxin. The no.22 seed, she ousted India’s Manika Batra, the no.13 seed (11-6, 11-3, 11-5, 12-14, 7-11, 12-10).
Defeats but for the other leading names on second round Women’s Singles duty it was success; in addition to Saki Shibata, colleagues Honoka Hashimoto and Miyu Nagasaki progressed, as did Sweden’s Matilda Ekholm, Luxembourg’s Ni Xia Lian and Egypt’s Dina Meshref.
Matilda Ekholm, the no.2 seed, eventually overcame Slovenia’s Alex Galic in a seven games contest (14-12, 10-12, 3-11, 12-10, 7-11, 16-14, 11-2); Honoka Hashimoto, the no.3 seed, ousted Brazil’s Gui Lin, the no.25 seed (11-4, 11-7, 11-4, 11-6).
Likewise, Miyu Nagasaki, the no.4 seed, halted the progress of Filippa Bergand, like Matilda Ekholm from Sweden (11-6, 11-8, 13-11, 11-7): Ni Xia Lian, the no.6 seed, defeated Laura Gasnier of France (11-4, 12-10, 10-12, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7). Meanwhile, not to be upstaged, Dina Meshref, the no.7 seed, ended the progress of Italy’s Chiara Colantoni (11-7, 11-2, 4-11, 12-10, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8).
The third round and quarter-finals of the Women’s Singles event will be held on Friday 26th October.
