by Ian Marshall, Editor

After losing the second game comfortably, victory appeared a forlorn hope but the 18 year old found answers.

“I played really well today. I was able to beat her, the top player of India. I led 7-3 in the first game but I lost; when I was 0-2 behind, I changed the tactic. I tried to play my forehand topspin towards her backhand and this tactic worked.” Mahshid Ashtari

A shock win for Mahshid Ashtari who is presently listed at no.163 on the women’s world rankings, as opposed to Manika Batra named at no.56; in the corresponding contest there were no such problems for Singapore’s Lin Ye, she overcame Qatar’s Maha Faramarzi in straight games (11-2, 11-4, 11-6).

Success for Lin Ye in the regional group where the winner only advances to the preliminary round; in the top three groups in which the seeded players feature, it was success as status advised.

China’s Zhu Yuling, the top seed and defending champion, beat Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem (11-7, 11-9, 11-3), in the same group, Japan’s Miu Hirano accounted for Thailand’s Suthasini Sawettabut (11-3, 11-7, 11-5).

Imposing from Zhu Yuling, it was the same from colleague Chen Meng, the no.2 seed, she overcame Korea Republic’s Jeon Jihee (11-3, 13-11, 11-4); similarly, Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-China accounted for Hong Kong’s Lee Ho Ching (15-17, 12-10, 11-9, 11-5).

Meanwhile, in the one remaining group, the host nation’s Kasumi Ishikawa, the no.3 seed, made the ideal start by causing the Korea Republic more pain, she beat Su Hyowon (11-8, 11-4, 11-9); not to be overshadowed Singapore’s Feng Tianwei defeated Chinese Taipei’s Chen Szu-Yu (11-2, 11-6, 3-11, 11-6).

The remaining first stage matches will be played later in the day.