by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Recently Sun Yingsha won the Women’s Singles title at the Seamaster 2017 Platinum ITTF World Tour Lion Japan Open, whilst being the runner up the following week in Chengdu.

Just under one week ago, Qian Tianyi, secured the Junior Girls’ Singles title on the ITTF World Junior Circuit, in Taicang

Sun Yingsha beat Japan’s Miyu Nagasaki, the no.3 seed (11-3, 11-4, 9-11, 13-11); Qian Tianyi accounted for Korea’s Kim Youjin, the no.6 seed (19-17, 11-8, 10-12, 11-5).

Both Sun Yingsha and Qian Tianyi remained unbeaten to top the respective groups; Miyu Nagasaki and Kim Youjin suffered no further defeats, thus gaining second places but alas no passports to the main draw; only first place in the group progressed.

Surprises that were no surprises at all; but there was one outcome that did catch the eye. You Sowon, like Kim Youjin from Korea, secured top place in her group against expectations. She remained unbeaten, notably accounting for Singapore’s Zermaine Nicole Lew (11-6, 11-3, 7-11, 11-8) and most pertinently, Chinese Taipei’s Wen Rue-Ling, the no.15 seed (11-5, 11-3, 11-6).

Alas for Wen Rue-Ling it was not the best of days; she was also beaten by Zermaine Nicole Lew (11-4, 10-12, 11-7, 11-5); thus the Singaporean as forr Wen Rue-Ling it was the end of the road.

Meanwhile, other than for Miyu Nagasaki and Kim Youjin, for the leading names, it was a day without defeat and first place in the group. China’s Shi Xunyao and Liu Weishan duly topped their groups as did the Japanese trio of Asuka Sasao, Miyuu Kato and Yuka Minagawa. Likewise, it was pole position for Korea’s Kim Jiho.

The Junior Girls’ Singles event continues on Monday 3rd July; the semi-finals and final will be played on Tuesday 4th July.