by Ian Marshall, Editor

Yashaswini Deepak Ghorpade, who had beaten Russia’s Kristina Kazantseva, the top seed, in the group phase (11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9) maintained her quite outstanding form. She overcame Egypt’s Alaa Yehia, the no.8 seed (14-12, 11-9, 8-11, 11-3, 10-12, 11-7). Conversely, for Kaya Sree Baskar it was defeat, she was beaten by Egypt’s Hend Fathy (3-11, 11-9, 10-12, 7-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-7).

Meanwhile, for Kristina Kazantseva, in the opening round it was success in style; she accounted for India’s Suhana Saini, the no.5 seed, winning in straight games (11-3, 11-7, 11-7, 11-9).

Success for Kristina Kazantseva, for the remaining players who had started proceedings as the highest rated in their first stage groups it was also success; colleague Olga Vishniakova duly progressed to the round of the last eight as did Egypt’s Farida Badawy and Hana Goda. Likewise for India’s Swastika Ghosh and Anargya Manjunath, there was opening round success, both duly reserved quarter-final places.

Medal hopes for the top names in the junior girls’ singles event alive; it is the same in the junior girls’ doubles. In the opening round Kristina Kazantseva and Olga Vishniakova, the top seeds, beat Egypt’s Kanzy Fawzy and Mariam Younes (11-4, 11-6, 11-5); Farida Badawy and Hana Goda, the no.2 seeds, accounted for India’s Hardee Chetam Patel and Radhika Vinay Sakpal (11-4, 11-8, 11-7).

Play in Manama concludes on Monday 11th February; a busy closing day lies ahead.