by Ian Marshall, Editor
The player to cause arguably the biggest surprise was Korea Republic’s Lee Migyu; bronze medallist at the 2018 Asian Para Games in Jakarta. Competing in women’s singles class 3, she accounted for China’s Li Qian, the no.3 seed, the four times world champion. Lee Migyu in her one and only match of the day, succeeded in five games (11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 14-12).
Defeat for Li Qian but hopes of progress to the main draw are still alive. In her opening match of the day, she accounted for India’s Sonalben Patel (11-8, 10-12, 7-11, 11-5, 11-3). Li Qian is no relation to the reigning European champion by the same name or the young lady crowned world junior champion in 2003. Staged on the second day of play, the contest between Lee Migyu and Sonalben Patel will decide the final order.
Third seeds suffer
Likewise in women’s singles class 8 there was a surprise; Mao Jingdian and Huang Wenjuan, the respective top two seeds, duly completed their initial group phase matches unbeaten but there was defeat for colleague, Li Guiying, the no.3 seed and bronze medallist at the 2018 Asian Para Championships. She lost to India’s Suwarti Suwarti (11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 11-9) and had to settle for second place in the group. Suwarti Suwarti remained unbeaten to reserve first position.
Problems for the third seeds; in women’s singles class 6 it was the same scenario but the outcome more acute. Macao’s Lam Oi Man was beaten by Korea Republic’s Moon Sungkeum (11-9, 11-8, 11-6) and by Iraq’s Najlim Al Dayyeni (11-6, 11-8, 11-3); the end result elimination. Moon Sungkeum and Najlim Al Dayyeni now meet to determine first place in the group.
Notable casualties, in women’s singles class 11, the casualty was even more notable. Hong Kong’s Ng Mui Wui, gold medallist at the 2018 Asian Para Championships and bronze medallist at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, experienced defeat. After overcoming Thailand’s Phimolphan Deetam (11-5, 11-2, 11-5), she was beaten by Korea Republic’s Seo Yanghee (8-11, 10-12, 17-15, 11-9, 11-9). Seo Yanghee and Phimolphan Deetam confront each other to determine the final group order.
Biggest upset
Surprises amongst the leading names in the women’s singles events; there were also unexpected outcomes in the counterpart men’s singles competitions but not to the same extent.
Undoubtedly, the biggest casualty was Korea Republic’s Cha Sooyong; competing in class 2, after overcoming Thailand’s Thirayu Chueawong (11-5, 11-6, 11-8), he was beaten by Iraq’s Ali Al-Saedi (11-4, 11-9, 11-9). One match remains for each of the four players in the group.
Similarly there were defeats against the odds for Korea Republic’s Kim Kiyoung in class 5 and Japan’s Koya Kato in class 11. Kim Kiyoung, the no.3 seed and bronze medallist at last year’s Asian Games, was beaten by China’s Liu Fu (11-6, 11-8, 3-11, 11-3) and had to settle for second place in his group.
Meanwhile, for Koya Kato, after accounting Thailand’s Narongsak Paengjai (11-2, 11-5, 11-4), it was defeat when facing Korea Republic’s Chou Jaehyeon (11-7, 9-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-3).
Otherwise, for the leading names it was a day without defeat; play in the individual events continues on Wednesday 24th July.
2019 ITTF Asia Para Championships: Entry List
2019 ITTF Asia Para Championships: Draws and Latest Results
