by Ian Marshall, Editor

The top seeds, Jeon Jihee and Yang Haeun accounted for the partnership competing in the Swedish capital city courtesy of support from the ITTF Foundation and Sportsmaster; they overcame the defensive combination of DPR Korea’s Kim Song I and Korea Republic’s Suh Hyowon (13-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-9).

“They are different; Suh Hyowon chops the ball much sooner, in the third game they took some risks and attacked more; in the fourth game we made a good start, we led 6-2 but then we lost the next two points so we called “Time Out”, we needed to have a break to calm ourselves and keep our concentration.” Yang Haeun

Hard fought success for Jeon Jihee and Yang Haeun; it was even harder for Chen Xingtong and Wang Manyu, the no.7 seeds, they eventually overcame Honoka Hashimoto and Hitomi Sato by the very narrowest of margins, the Japanese duo, the no.2 seeds, mounting a most spirited recovery after losing the opening two games (11-3, 12-10, 12-14, 7-11, 11-9).

Undoubtedly for both victorious pairs, there were moments of concern, in the other quarter-final engagements, trials and tribulations were minimal.

Winners in August in the Czech Republic, Liu Gaoyang and Zhang Rui, required to compete in the qualification stage of proceedings, accounted for the Hong Kong combination of Doo Hoi Kem and Lee Ho Ching, the no.3 seeds, in three straight games (11-4, 11-9, 11-7).

Following suit, after saving one game point in the opener against Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa and Mima Ito, the no.4 seeds, Chen Ke and Wang Manyu, the no.5 seeds and winners in March in Doha, gradually asserted their authority on proceedings to end the hopes of Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa and Mima Ito, the no.4 seeds (12-10, 11-9, 11-5).

At the semi-final stage Jeon Jihee and Yang Haeun meet Liu Gaoyang and Zhang Rui, Chen Ke and Wang Manyu oppose Chen Xingtong and Sun Yingsha; the matches are scheduled for later in the day at 2.15 pm (local time).