by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Partnering compatriot, Mima Ito and occupying the no.3 position in the draw; not only did the two teenagers, cause a Women’s Doubles semi-final upset, they ended Korean hopes.
They beat Jeon Jihee and Yang Haeun, the top seeds, a pair that has progressed to no less than 13 ITTF World Tour Women’s Doubles finals and has emerged successful on seven of those occasions.
However, one title that has always proved elusive and continues to prove elusive is the top prize on home soil; they have never won in Korea. Last year they came close but not close enough, they were beaten in the final by the prodigious combination of China’s Ding Ning and Liu Shiwen.
A surprise outcome in the top half of the draw in the penultimate round of the Women’s Doubles event; it was the same in the lower half.
Occupying the no.5 seeded position in the event, Shan Xiaona in harness with her compatriot, Petrissa Solja overcome the Chinese Taipei duo formed by Chen Szu-Yu and Cheng I-Ching. In a closely fought contest, the German partnership emerged successful in a full distance five games contest (10-12, 11-2, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8).
The title deciding contest in the Women’s Doubles event will be played on Sunday 23rd April; the match starts the finals programme and is due to commence at 2.00pm (local time).
