by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
However, for Mak Tze Wing there were some challenging moments; after beating Chinese Taipei’s Wen Ruei-Ling in four games (11-9, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8), she was extended the full five games distance by Singapore’s Goi Rui-Xuan (10-12, 11-4, 9-11, 11-3, 11-4).
Goi Rui-Xuan now meets Wen Ruei-Ling to determine second place in the group, the contest will decide which player advances to the main draw. Players finishing in first and second places in each of the 12 groups progress to the next phase.
One match remains
Top spot decided in the first seven groups; in the remaining five groups where there are four contestants per group, one match remains for each player.
Chinese Taipei’s Fang Sih-Han, the no.8 seed, is very much en route to top spot but like Mak Tze Wing had to endure exacting times. After accounting for colleague Wu Yi Hua in three straight games (11-8, 11-6, 11-5), she needed the full five games to overcome India’s Harsha Vardhini Calange Ravichandran, only emerging by the very narrowest of margins (7-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-9, 12-10).
Future lies in balance
However, for Hong Kong’s Lee Ka Yee, the no.9 seed and Chinese Taipei’s Lee En-Chi, the no.10 seed, their future lies very much in the balance; both experienced defeats.
After beating Singapore’s Tay Hui Li (11-6, 12-10, 11-6), Lee Ka Yee experienced defeat at the hands of the host association’s Lee Yu-Peng (11-9, 7-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-7).
Similarly, following success against compatriot, Liang Yu-Chieh (11-8, 11-7, 11-6), Lee En-Chi was beaten by Hong Kong’s Wong Chin Yau (6-11, 4-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-3).
Surprise defeat in group stage
Success for the leading names in the first stage of the Junior Girls’ Singles event but not in the counterpart Cadet Girls’ Singles competition where there was one casualty of note.
The host association’s Tsai Yu-Chin, the no.2 seed, was narrowly beaten in her opening encounter by compatriot, Yen Chia-Hsuan (6-11, 13-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-9).
Defeat in her opening contest but later she recovered to overcome India’s Swastika Ghosh (11-7, 11-2, 11-4), before Yen Chia-Hsuan accounted for Swastika Ghosh in a five games duel (4-11, 11-5, 11-13, 11-8, 11-9) to secure first place in the group.
First round required
First place in the group meant a direct entry to the second round, for Tsai Yu-Chin she was required to compete in an opening round contest; she duly prevailed overcoming Malaysia’s Tee Ai Xin in three straight games (11-8, 11-7, 11-8).
Play in both the Junior Girls’ Singles and Cadet Girls’ Singles events continues on Saturday 27th August.
