by Ian Marshall, Editor
Surprise first places and thus progress to the main draw for Katarzyna Wegrzyn and Tijana Jokic; contrary to status there were also unexpected top spots for China’s Gu Yuhan and Rachel Yang of the United States, as well as for Slovakia’s Natalia Grigelova and Korea Republic’s Ryu Hanna. Notably, all started play as the lowest rated player in their respective groups.
Likewise, against the odds, it was top spot for Germany’s Anastasia Bonderava; she commenced play the third highest in her group.
In their concluding matches, Guo Yuhan beat New Zealand’s Zhou Jiayi (11-7, 11-1, 11-3, 11-5), Rachel Yang accounted for Brazil’s Livia Lima (11-1, 11-5, 11-5, 11-7). Meanwhile, Ryu Hanna overcame Romania’s Elena Zaharia (11-9, 11-8, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8), Anastasia Bonderava ended the hopes of Serbia’s Andjela Menger (11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 16-14, 11-9.
However, for Natalia Grigelova in her concluding group phase contest life was different; she was beaten by Andreea Hudusan, like Elena Zaharia from Romania (8-11, 11-7, 9-11, 12-10, 11-4, 13-11). It was the only win secured by Andreea Hudusan; the end result being that Natalia Grigelova finished the group level with Singapore’s Goi Rui Xuan, the highest rated player in the group, each had two wins to their name. Significantly, the previous day Natalia Grigelova had beaten Gou Rui Xuan (11-5, 11-5, 11-7, 7-11, 13-11). In such instances the result between the two players involved determines the outcome; thus it was first place for Natalia Grigelova.
Unexpected top spots, in the remaining groups, it was first place and thus progress to the main draw for the leading names.
Chinese Taipei’s Chau Wing Sze, Korea Republic’s Shin Yubin and Thailand’s Jinnipa Sawettabut duly finished in top positions in their respective groups, as did Italy’s Jamila Laurenti, China’s Huang Fanzhen, Japan’s Yumeno Soma and Romania’s Tania Plaian. Similarly, as expected there were pole positions for Croatia’s Andrea Pavlovic and Lucie Gauthier of France.
The first round of the Girls’ Singles event is scheduled for later in the day.
