by Ian Marshall, Editor
It is for the Korea Republic undoubtedly the lowest position they have ever experienced in the event; one year ago in Riva del Garda they commenced matters in the no.3 seeded position and concluded play as bronze medallists.
However, from that line-up, only 14 year old Shin Yubin remains, a Women’s Singles semi-finalist some five weeks ago at the ITTF Challenge Series Belgium Open, in Bendigo she gave her team the ideal start.
She beat Selena Selvakumar in three straight games (12-10, 11-8, 11-5); immediately following in a much closer contest, Ryu Hanna accounted for Archana Girish Kamath by the very narrowest of margins (10-12, 11-8, 9-11, 13-11, 12-10), before Cho Haeeun sealed the victory. She followed the example set by Shin Yubin, she overcame Swastika Ghosh in straight games (11-6, 11-6, 14-12).
An outcome contrary to seeding; in the remaining initial fixtures, the decisions were as status advised, the host continent not enjoying the best of fortunes.
Represented by Anastasia Kolish, Mariia Tailakova and Kristina Kasantseva; Russia, the no.6 seeds, recorded a three-nil win in opposition to the no.14 seeds, New Zealand’s Vong Hui Ling, Zhou Jiayi and Mariia Tailakova. Likewise, the no.7 seeds, Romania’s Tania Plaian, Andreea Dragoman and Andreea Hudusan showed no charity when facing the home nation; a three-nil win was the verdict when facing the no.15 seeds, Australia’s Parleen Kaur, Rebekkah Stanley and Michelle Wu.
Meanwhile, not to be upstaged, the no.8 seeds, the combination of Amy Wang, Crystal Wang and Rachel Sung, secured the same margin of victory when opposing the no.16 seeds, the Canadian trio formed by Patricia Hui, Ivy Liao and Chen Yu-Hsuan.
The second series of fixtures in the group phase of the Girls’ Team event will be played later in the day.
