by Ian Marshall, Editor
It was a chance to seize the opportunity, for others to maintain standards and for some to rekindle form of former days.
Men’s Singles
…………Bastian Steger gave the home supporters plenty of cause to cheer; he beat China’s Zhang Yudong (11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-3, 13-15, 11-9) and Portugal’s Tiago Apolonia (6-11, 11-4, 3-11, 12-10, 11-6, 12-10).
…………China’s Wang Chuqin, the winner two days ago in Stockholm maintained his outstanding form, he beat Thailand’s Supanut Wisutmaythangkoon (11-8, 11-7, 11-4, 11-4).
…………The reigning world junior champion, China’s Xu Haidong made an impressive start to his campaign, he accounted for Belgium’s Cédric Nuytinck (9-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-6, 11-3).
………..Belgium’s Florent Lambiet caused a major upset; he overcame Austria’s Robert Gardos (13-11, 2-11, 11-8, 11-9, 12-10).
…………The winner in 2001 and 2005, Vladimir Samsonov made a successful start to his campaign but he was tested; he needed the full seven games to beat the Czech Republic’s Tomas Polansky (7-11, 5-11, 11-1, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9, 11-8).
…………On the razor edge to gain a place in the Grand Finals, China’s Sun Wen enhanced his chances, by the narrowest of decisions he beat Chinese Taipei’s Chen Chien-An (8-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-8, 4-11, 11-6, 12-10).
Women’s Singles
…………Semi-finalist in Stockholm, once again Liu Fei delighted with her defensive skill; she beat both Germany’s Franziska Schreiner (11-4, 11-2, 11-2, 11-4) and Poland’s Natalia Bajor (11-2, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4).
…………Serbia’s Sabina Surjan underlined her progress, she overcame Ukraine’s Tetyana Bilenko (7-11, 14-12, 4-11, 10-12, 14-12, 12-10, 11-8).
…………Hong Kong’s Zhu Chengzhu impressed, she accounted for Portugal’s Shao Jieni (11-7, 12-14, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9), the winner on the ITTF World Tour in 2015 and 2016 in Lagos.
…………Keeping a strong mind, Hong Kong’s Li Ching Wan won the closest match of the day, she beat Japan’s Maki Shiomi (11-8, 11-1, 10-12, 11-6, 12-14, 3-11, 18-16).
…………Yuan Jia Nan of France attracted the attention; she overcame Singapore’s Yu Mengyu (3-11, 11-4, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8).
…………Crowned world junior champion last December, China’s Qian Tianyi made a successful start to her campaign but she experienced a severe examination; she needed the full seven games to beat Japan’s Minami Ando (6-11, 11-5, 8-11, 12-10, 11-6, 6-11, 12-10).
