by Ian Marshall, Editor
At the Girls’ Singles quarter-final stage, she beat Japan’s Kaho Akae in six games (13-11, 11-8, 9-11, 12-10, 4-11, 11-4), after one round earlier, having overcome Rachel Sung of the United States, prevailing in a full distance seven games encounter (9-11, 11-4, 13-15, 11-6, 11-6, 5-11, 11-7).
Meanwhile, in the Girls’ Doubles, partnering Sweden’s Rebecca Muskantor, the European duo accounted for the pairing of Egypt’s Hana Goda and Malaysia’s Lee Xin Ni (8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8) to reserve their semi-final berth; they now meet the formidable combination of Korea Republic’s Byun Seoyoung and China’s Kuai Man.
Equally, in the opposite half of the Girls’ Doubles draw, there is a European presence. The pairing of Lithuania’s Kornelija Riliskyte and Romania’s Elena Zaharia face Japan’s Honami Nakamori and Hikari Okubo.
In the round of the last eight pairs, Kornelija Riliskyte and Elena Zaharia beat the Latin American formation of Mexico’s Aranxta Cossio Aceves and Brazil’s Giula Takahasi (11-6, 11-6, 15-13); Honami Nakamori and Hikari Okubo overcame Asian colleagues, the combination of Thailand’s Waniswa Aueawiriyayothin and Singapore’s Zhou Jingyi (11-4, 11-6, 11-5).
Success for Elizabet Abraamian but overall, it was Asia who ruled the day; in the Girls’ Singles event Hikari Okubo and colleague Yukari Sugasawa alongside Kuai Man all progressed to the last four.
On the penultimate day of action, Yukari Sugasawa beat Romania’s Elena Zaharia (11-5, 4-11, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7), before overcoming the defensive skills of the Korea Republic’s Byun Seoyoung (11-8, 11-8, 11-6, 11-4).
Worthy performances from Yukari Sugasawa, it was the same from Hikari Okubo; she overcame Lithuania’s Kornelija Riliskyte (11-5, 11-2, 11-6, 11-5) prior to emerging successful in opposition to surprise quarter-finalist, Egypt’s Hend Fathy (11-4, 11-4, 11-3, 11-3). In impressive form, one round earlier Hend Fathy had ended the hopes of Singapore’s Zhou Jingyi (11-9, 11-9, 11-8, 11-3).
Meanwhile, not to be left out, Kuai Man reserved her semi-final place without being extended the full seven games distance. She overcame Sweden’s Rebecca Muskantor (11-6, 10-12, 11-3, 11-4, 11-6), before ending the hopes of the host nation’s Honomi Nakamori (11-3, 10-12, 11-4, 11-8, 11-4).
At the semi-final stage, Yukari Sugasawa meets Hikari Okubo, Elizabet Abraamian faces Kuai Man.
Play in Tottori concludes on Wednesday 31st October.
