by Ian Marshall, Editor

Amos Ling Yi Heng accounted for Hong Kong’s Choy Chun Kit, the no.6 seed (11-7, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8); most notably, Li Hsin-Yu recovered from a two games to nil deficit to overcome Australia’s Finn Luu, the no.8 seed (4-11, 4-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-8).

Otherwise the prominent names all ended the day unbeaten. Chinese Taipei’s Tai Ming-Wei and Huang Yu-Jen both made successful starts to their campaigns as did New Zealand’s Nathan Xu alongside Hong Kong’s Pau Yik Man and Yu Nok.

Worthy performances Amos Ling Yi Heng and Li Hsin-Yu; as matters commenced in the junior girls’ singles competition the player to note was Canada’s Patricia Hui, she made a fine start by beating Hong Kong’s Phoebe Hui Wai, the no.7 seed (11-9, 11-13, 8-11, 12-10). A surprise outcome but not for the remaining highly rated players.

However, there were two close calls, the host nation’s Matilda Alexandersson needed the full five games to beat colleague Nie Mingxuan (7-11, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-7), as did Hong Kong’s Chelsea Shiu Lau in opposition to Malaysia’s Lim Jing Shuen (7-11, 15-17, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9).

Problems for prominent names, for those of the same ilk there were no such travails. Chinese Taipei’s Chien Tung-Chuan, Cao Fong-En and Yu Hsiu-Ting all made positive starts to their campaigns as did Australia’s Parleen Kaur and Michelle Wu.

Meanwhile in the cadet boys’ singles and cadet girls’ singles events, the leading names called to duty all enjoyed have eyes focused on gold. In the former Yiu Kwan To and Finn Luu enjoyed a successful start, as in the cadet girls’ singles did Hong Kong’s Yenn Ito Ching. Top seed, Phoebe Hui Wai has yet to start her campaign.

Play in Darwin concludes on Wednesday 1st May