by Ian Marshall, Editor
Meanwhile, in the men’s doubles and women’s doubles events the finalists were determined; in the under 21 men’s singles and under 21 women’s singles competitions, the champions were crowned.
Men’s Singles
…………The no.10 seed, Frenchman Andrea Landrieu caused the biggest upset; after overcoming Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yan-Cheng (8-11, 11-5, 13-11, 11-7, 11-7), he accounted for Japan’s Kenta Matsudaira, the no.2 seed (11-5, 11-2, 11-8, 12-10).
…………Korea Republic’s Seo Hyundeok, absent in recent times from the international scene, underlined his undoubted talent; he ended the progress of Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw (11-5, 1012, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8), before ousting colleague, Cho Jaeun (11-7, 11-6, 11-8, 11-7) to reserve his place in the semi-finals.
…………Yuta Tanaka, the no.13 seed, emerged from the precipice of defeat in the fifth game against Japanese colleague Mizuki Oikawa, the no.4 seed (11-8, 7-11, 12-14, 4-11, 15-13, 11-9, 11-7), before recording a quarter-final success in opposition to Chinese Taipei’s Wang Tai-Wei (11-8, 11-5, 6-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7).
…………Germany’s Ruwen Filus ended day the highest ranked player to reach the penultimate round but he almost came to grief. The no.3 seed, prior to overcoming Chinese Taipei’s Yeh Chih-Wei (11-5, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9), he had to recover from a three games to nil deficit against Abdel-Kader Salifou of France (11-5, 11-8, 11-5, 11-9).
…………In the penultimate round Seo Hyundeok faces Yuta Tanaka, Ruwen Filus confronts Andrea Landrieu.
Women’s Singles
…………Hitomi Sato, justified her top seeded position; she beat Korea Republic’s Yoon Hyobin (11-5, 5-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-6, 11-2) and Japanese colleague Mitsuho Kimura (11-7, 12-10, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4) to reserve her penultimate round place.
…………Honoka Hashimoto, the no.3 seed, broke Thai hearts; after overcoming compatriot Ayane Morita (11-7, 11-8, 11-8, 11-9), by the very narrowest of margins, she ousted Orawan Paranang, the no.14 seed (8-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-13, 11-9).
…………Sakura Mori caused the biggest quarter-final surprise; following success against French teenager Camille Lutz, the no.7 seed, she overcame Thailand’s Suthasini Sawettabut, the no.4 seed (11-8, 11-5, 12-10, 11-5) and thus guaranteed an all Japanese semi-final line up.
…………Saki Shibata, the no.2 seed, made intentions clear; she accounted for Korea Republic’s Hwang Jina (12-10, 13-11, 11-6, 11-9) and colleague Ayami Narumoto (11-3, 11-9, 13-11, 8-11, 11-4) to reserve her semi-final place.
…………At the semi-final stage Hitomi Sato meets Honoka Hashimoto; Saki Shibata opposes Sakura Mori.
Men’s Doubles
…………Chinese Taipei’s Feng Yi-Hsin and Wang Tai-Wei, the no.8 seeds, meet Germany’s Ruwen Filus and Steffen Mengel, the no.5 seeds in the final.
…………At the semi-final stage Feng Yi-Hsin and Wang Tai-Wei beat Japan’s Mizuki Oikawa and Kohei Sambe, the no.6 seeds (11-6, 11-7, 12-14, 5-11, 11-4). Ruwen Filus and Steffen Mengel ended the hopes of the host nation. They overcame Padasak Tanviriyavechakul and Supanut Wisutmaythangkoon, the no.3 seeds (11-9, 12-10, 7-11, 11-4)
Women’s Doubles
…………An all Japanese final awaits; qualifiers Ayane Morita and Yuka Umemura meet Satsuki Odo and Saki Shibata, the no.2 seeds.
…………In the penultimate round Ayane Morita and Yuka Umemura caused a major upset, they beat colleagues Hitomi Sato and Honoka Hashimoto, the top seeds (13-11, 6-11, 11-2, 12-10.
Under 21 Men’s Singles
…………Chinese Taipei’s Li Hsin-Yu, required to qualify, emerged successful. After overcoming Korea Republic’s Oh Minseo (13-11, 11-4, 7-11, 11-7), he accounted for Japan’s Masaki Takami (15-13, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7) to secure the title.
Under 21 Women’s Singles
…………Japan’s Yuka Umemura, the no.8 seed, accounted for 14 year old Prithika Pavade of France, qualifier (11-6, 8-11, 12-10, 11-8) to secure the top prize. At the semi-final stage Yuka Umemura had beaten compatriot Maki Shiomi, the top seed (6-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-9).
