by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
All unbeaten on the opening day of play, all upset the ranked order to maintain their unblemished records.
Listed at no.170 on the current Women’s World Rankings, Zhang Rui accounted for Hong Kong’s Ng Wing Nam, named at no.64, to secure first place in her group; colleague Zhu Chengzhu overcame Korea’s Lee Hye (11-8, 11-9, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7) to achieve the same goal.
Presently Zhu Chengzhu has no global listing; Lee Eunhye is at no.87.
Likewise, Lin Chia-Chih, standing at no.153 on the rankings, beat Spain’s Maria Xiao who appears at no.77 (5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 14-12), whilst in a similar vein, Liu Hsing-Yin accounted for Hong Kong’s Mak Tze Wing (2-11, 11-3, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8).
Currently Liu Hsing-Yin has no world ranking; Mak Tze Wing is at no.117.
Hard fought success, it was the same for Miyu Nagasaki named at no.,129 on the current Women’s World Rankings; in six games she accounted for Chinese Taipei’s Lee I-Chen (11-7, 11-5, 4-11, 10-12, 11-5, 11-8).
Surprise first places but no such surprises in the groups where the leading players in the Women’s Singles qualification tournament were involved.
Portugal’s Fu Yu and Japan’s Saki Shibata alongside China’s Chen Xingtong and Gu Yuting all topped their respective groups.
