by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Zhu Yuling beat Chinese Taipei’s Cheng I-Ching, the no.6 seed, in four straight games (11-5, 11-3, 11-2, 11-3), before Liu Shiwen followed suit by overcoming Korea’s Suh Hyowon the no.8 seed (11-4, 8-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-1, 11-3).
“I entered into the match rhythm very quickly today. I was very focused on the match and made few mistakes.” Zhu Yuling
Success for China, it was the same for Japan; Kasumi Ishikawa overcame Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem, the no.9 seed (11-9, 12-10, 14-12, 14-12), prior to Miu Hirano halting the aspirations of Chen Szu-Yu also from Chinese Taipei and the no.12 seed (11-13, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3). Earlier in the day, Miu Hirano had emerged successful in the play quarter-final contest beating India’s Manika Batra (11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6); in the counterpart contest, Suh Hyowon had ended the hopes of Hong Kong’s Lee Ho Ching, the no.11 seed (11-9, 11-13, 11-9, 11-9).
“I played very well and was very satisfied with my performance today. I expected that this was not aa easy match so I made a lot of preparations. I was very determined in the crucial stage.” Kasumi Ishikawa
Meanwhile, at the quarter-final stage of the Men’s event, there was more success for China but not for Japan. Fan Zhendong, the top seed, beat Jun Mizutani, the no.3 seed (11-8, 11-13, 16-14, 11-5, 11-8); colleague Lin Gaoyuan , the no.7 seed, overcame Korea’s Jeong Sangeun, the no.8 seed (6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-6, 11-5).
“Yesterday, I did not have a good feeling for the ball. Today I also met some difficulties, especially in the first three games when Jun played very aggressively. After taking the third game, I became more relaxed, more comfortable, more focused.” Fan Zhendong
Defeat for Jun Mizutani, there was also defeat for Japanese colleague, Koki Niwa; the no.4 seed, he suffered at the hands of Chinese Taipei’s Chen Chien-An, the no.9 seed who, in the preliminary round, had ousted Iran’s Nima Alamian (11-5, 4-11, 11-8, 11-7). The win for Chen Chien-An was a reversal of the previous day when he had lost to Koki Niwa (13-11, 12-10, 11-4).
“Yesterday in the group stage, I lost to him three-nil. I made more preparations and changes today. Yesterday I could not control his service. Today I was more aggressive. I controlled the play better. I made many changes in the match rhythm and placement of the ball.” Chen Chien-An
Success for Chinese Taipei but there was defeat; Chuang Chih-Yuan, the no.6 seed, was beaten by Korea’s Lee Sangsu, the no.5 seed (11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 7-11, 11-9). In the play-off round Lee Sangsu had accounted for Iran’s Noshad Alamiyan (11-4, 10-12, 13-11, 11-13, 11-2, 12-10).
“I played Chuang Chih-Yuan once before and lost in straight games; in the seventh game I had more luck than him.” Lee Sangsu
At the semi-final stage of the Men’s Singles event, Chen Chien-An meets Lin Gaoyuan, Fan Zhendong opposes Lee Sangsu; in the Women’s Singles competition it is Zhu Yuling against Miu Hirano, Kasumi Ishikawa in opposition to Liu Shiwen.
The matches are scheduled for later in the day.
