by Ian Marshall, Editor
Shin Yubin, who earlier this year had reached the last eight of the Junior Girls’ Singles event at the Asian Junior and Cadet Championships in Myanmar, beat Sweden’s Matilda Ekholm, the no.2 seed by the narrowest of seven game margins(10-12, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-9).
Similarly, raising the eyebrows, Ayhika Mukherjee, a Women’s Singles quarter-finalist at the ITTF Challenge Series 2017 Thailand Open, overcame Egypt’s Dina Meshref, the no.7 seed. She prevailed in a rather more decisive manner, she won in five games (11-9, 11-7, 11-7, 7-11, 11-8).
Two performances to attract the attention as play in the third round of the Women’s Singles event advanced and there was one more; Germany’s Nina Mittelham, the no.11 seed, accounted for Luxembourg’s Ni Xia Lian, the no.6 seed, notably she recovered from a three games to nil deficit to secure victory (6-11, 11-13, 6-11, 11-7, 12-10, 12-10, 11-4).
Surprise outcomes; in the remaining third round matches in the Women’s Singles competition, the outcomes were as status advised, Japan enjoying notable success.
Saki Shibata, the top seed, beat Hong Kong’s Zhu Chengzhu (11-9, 9-11, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9), Honoka Hashimoto, the no.3 seed, accounted for Audrey Zarif of France (11-3, 11-7, 11-6, 11-2). Likewise, Miyu Nagasaki defeated Sarah de Nutte, like Ni Xia Lian on duty for Luxembourg (13-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6).
Wins as expected for the Japanese trio; in the remaining third round Women’s Singles matches, likewise the favourites prevailed. Monaco’s Yang Xiaoxin, the no.22 seed, beat Korea Republic’s Kim Youjin (11-9, 11-3, 11-3, 12-10); Hungary’s Dora Madaraz, the no.19 seed, ended the hopes of China’s Guo Xinyi (15-13, 11-4, 11-9, 13-11). Both Kim Youjin and Guo Xinyi had been required to compete on the preliminary rounds.
At the quarter-final stage Saki Shibata meets Ayhika Mukherjee, Yang Xiaoxin opposes Miyu Nagasaki; in the adjacent half of the draw Honoka Hashimoto confronts Dora Madarasz, Nina Mitteham plays Shin Yubin.
The matches will be played later in the day.
