by Ian Marshall
India and Kazakhstan made the reservations.
Represented by Archana Girish Kamath, Ayhika Mukherjee and Sutirtha Mukherjee, India recorded a 3-0 win against the Uzbekistan outfit comprising Rozalina Khadjieva, Sugdiyana Madalieva and Markhabo Magdieva.
A comprehensive win, for Kazakhstan, the main draw place was somewhat harder earned, a 3-1 margin of victory was the outcome against Iran in what proved a true team effort.
Anastassiya Lavrova lost to Mahshid Ashtari in the opening match of the encounter (11-4, 2-11, 11-8, 11-6) but later recovered to beat Neda Shahsavari in what was to be crucial concluding contest (11-9, 7-11, 11-9, 9-11, 14-12).
Likewise, Sarvinoz Mirkadirova defeated Neda Shahsavari (10-12, 12-10, 12-10, 7-11, 11-5); Zauresh Akasheva added the icing to the cake by overcoming Shima Safaei (11-5, 11-6, 11-9).
Places in the main draw secured, for both India and Kazakhstan it was the end of the road. No changes to the selection, India experienced defeat when facing Japan, Kazakhstan in opposition to Singapore.
Nevertheless, both proved worthy adversaries, both contests being decided by the 3-1 margin.
Lining up alongside Hitomi Sato and Miyu Nagasaki, no changes to the Indian line-up, Saki Shibata proved the mainstay of Japanese success; she prevailed against both Archana Girish Kamath (10-12, 11-7, 11-4, 10-12, 11-9) and Sreeja Akula (8-11, 10-12, 11-2, 11-9, 11-8).
Similarly, for Singapore, with Goi Rui Xuan and Zhou Jingyi completing the selection, Lin Ye steered her team to victory. She overcame Zauresh Akasheva (11-6, 11-7, 10-12, 9-11, 11-2) and Anastassiya Lavrova (11-7, 11-6, 11-2).
Meanwhile, in the fixtures concerning the seeded outfits that had gained direct draw access, it was success for the Korea Republic and Hong Kong.
Selecting Jeon Jihee, Lee Zion and Shin Yubin, Korea Republic recorded a 3-0 win against Thailand’s Phantita Pinyopsian, Suthasini Sawettabut and Wirakarn Tayapitak.
Immediately following Hong Kong secured a 3-1 margin of victory in opposition to Chinese Taipei.
Star of the show was Doo Hoi Kem; she accounted for both Liu Hsing-Yin (11-5, 11-4, 11-7) and Chen Szu-Yu (11-9, 13-11, 12-10).
The semi-finals and finals of the women’s team event will be played on Thursday 30th September.
