by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Pride of place went to Yu Hsiu-Ting, she caused the biggest upset by beating Thailand’s Jinnipa Sawettabut, the no.8 seed (12-10, 11-13, 9-11, 11-6, 12-10).

Soon after she was followed by Satsuki Odo who accounted for Chen Ting-Ting, the no.12 seed and also from Chinese Taipei (10-12, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8), whilst earlier in the afternoon, Yukari Sugasawa had beaten Hong Kong’s Fung Wai Chu, the no.13 seed (12-10, 11-8, 11-5).

Defeats but there was consolation; there were no further heartaches of Jinnipa Sawettabut, Chen Ting-Ting or Fung Wai Chu, thus second place and a passport to the main draw was secured.

Consistent with all ITTF World Junior Circuit tournaments, players finishing in first and second places in each of the 13 groups advance to the main draw.

Three surprise first places but there were no more.

China’s Shi Xunyao, Qian Tianyi and Liu Weishan duly topped their groups, as did Japan’s Miyuu Kiharam Miyu Nagasaki, Kana Takeuchi and Yumeno Soma. Likewise, there were first places as anticipated for the Chinese Taipei duo of Su Pei-Ling and Chen Ying-Chen, as there was for Hong Kong’s Wong Chin Yau.

The Junior Girls’ Singles event continues on Saturday 5th August when lay progresses to the semi-final round.