by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Defeat for Li Qian, who is no relation to the player by the same name who plays for Poland or that of the winner of the Girls’ Singles title at the first ever World Junior Championships staged in 2003 in Santiago, but that was not the case for her colleague and top seed, Xue Juan. She beat Thailand’s Chilchitraryal in three straight games (11-8, 11-7, 11-6) to reserve her place in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, on the second day of action in the Women’s Singles events, the top names who were called to action asserted their authority.

In Class 5 Korea’s Jung Younga continued her winning ways; in a group organised event, she beat Chinese Taipei’s Hsiao Shu-Chin (11-7, 12-10, 11-9). Somewhat similarly, in Class 6-7 the top two names booked their places in the final. Korea’s Kim Seokok accounted for Macau’s U Choi Hong (11-3, 11-8, 11-4); China’s Wang Rui overcame Lam Qiman (11-2, 11-3, 11-2).

Likewise, in Class 8, Mao Jingdian reserved her place in the final, courtesy of success against Korea’s Koh Duk Ja (11-2, 11-2, 11-3). She now faces surprise finalist, China’s Yu Hailian Churen. She reserved her place in the title deciding round by beating colleague Li Guijin (11-5, 12-10, 10-12, 12-14, 11-4).

“I practised my backhand service before the match; I was able to control the pace of the play.” Mao Jingdian

Notably Li Guijin was a player in form; one day earlier in the group stage she had finished ahead of Koh Duk Ja and Japan’s Megumi Hirokane, the no.2 seed. Meanwhile the final gives Yu Hailian Churen the opportunity for revenge. In the initial phase she was beaten by Mao Jingdian (11-4, 11-9, 11-6) and had finished in runners up spot in the group.

Similarly in Class 9 Korea’s Kim Kunhea emerged as a surprised finalist. First place in the group ahead of Thailand’s Chayanan Settisrikoedkun and the host nation’s Liu Meng, the no.2 seed, she accounted for Wachiraporn Thermoya in the penultimate round (11-3, 11-4, 11-7). In the final, China’s Xiong Guiyan awaits; the top seed, she reserved her place in the title deciding contest courtesy of success in opposition to Chayanan Settisrikoedkun (11-3, 11-5, 11-5).

Play in the Women’s Singles events concludes on Monday 28th August.

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