by Ian Marshall, Editor

Success and success as expected, Kuai Man started the day the most prominent name in the qualification event; the top 16 seeds gaining a direct entry to the main draw.

Likewise amongst the leading names on initial phase duty, India’s Prapti Sen and for Japan’s Reina Aso secured first positions but there were plenty of surprises. No less than 11 players who have no under 18 girls’ world ranking, ended the day in first place in their respective groups.

Japan’s Yuka Aoki, Noa Fukuoka and Misa Inayoshi all secured top spots, a situation that applied also the Korea Republic’s Lee Dagyeong and Lee Youngi. Likewise, there were first places for Mexico’s Arantxa Cossio Aceves and Kheith Rhynne Cruz of the Philippines; similarly, it was pole position for Hong Kong’s Karen Lee Hoi Man and for India’s Poymantee Baisya.

Names making their mark, the set was completed by two names who have already made their mark in Bangkok, gold medallists the previous day in the respective junior girls’ team and cadet girls’ team events; no current global status, China’s Yuan Yuan and Qin Yuxuan duly ended the day at the head of the order.

First places contrary to status, it was the same for Thailand’s Chanita Panicharoen, listed at no.602 on the current under 18 girls’ world rankings and for Hong Kong’s Wong Hoi Tung, named at no.519.

Similarly, in the group phase of the cadet girls’ singles event, matches still to be played; no current world under 15 girls’ ranking, Korea Republic’s Lee Yeonhui beat Chinese Taipei’s Chen Tsai-Ni (8-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-5), listed at no.69.

Meanwhile, just as in the junior girls’ singles event, Qin Yuxuan showed her quality. She accounted for Phantita Pinyopisan (11-7, 11-9, 11-7) on what was not a good day for the young lady from Thailand; listed at no.175 on the world order, she also experienced defeat at the hands of Chinese Taipei’s Wang Hsiao-Hsin, named at no.306. Wang Hsiao-Hsin and Qin Yuxuan now meet to decide first place.

Success contrary to expectations; it was the same for Angie Tan of the United States, ranked no.249, she caused the host nation more pain. She beat Monsawan Saritapirak, listed at no.235 (11-7, 11-6, 11-7).

Surprises but not where the top four names in the qualification stage of the cadet girls’ singles event were concerned; Chinese Taipei’s Liu Ru-Yun and Cheng Pu-Syuan alongside Singapore’s Ser Lin Qian and Hong Kong’s Yenn Ho Ching, all concluded their group stage itinerary without defeat and thus booked main draw places.

First place for Yenn Ho Ching, in the hopes girls’ singles event, it was the same for colleagues Sammi Law Sum, Wong Hui Lam and Chow Ka Ching. Similarly, Thailand’s Parnisara Podchong and Khemisarar Derujuaroen topped their groups, a situation that applied also to Egypt’s Hana Goda, India’s Sayani Panda and Ali Fathimath Dheema from the Maldives.

Play in Bangkok concludes on Sunday 19th May.