by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

However, at the final hurdle they were severely tested by the Indian outfit comprising Vanshika Bhargava, Diya Parag Chitale and Munmun Kundu.

A three-two victory was the resulting margin of success with Diya Parag Chitale proving the thorn in the side of Chinese Taipei and the player to attract the attention.

She accounted for both Chen Ci-Xuan (11-7, 13-11, 11-8) and Cai Fong-En (5-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-4). Alas for India that was their only success. Vanshika Bhargava was beaten by both Cai Fong-En (11-5, 14-12, 8-11, 11-7) and by Chen Ci-Xuan in the vital fifth and deciding match of the fixture (11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6). Sandwiched in between, Diya Parag Chitale in partnership with Munmun Kundu had experienced a doubles defeat at the hands of Cai Fong-En and Chen Ci-Xuan (11-4, 11-9, 11-6).

Earlier, at the quarter-final stage Cai Fong-En and Chen Ci-Xuan had beaten the Lithuanian duo of Emilija Riliskyte and Kornelija Riliskyte by three matches to one, prior to recording the same margin of victory in the penultimate round when opposing the Romania ‘A’ Team partnership of Luciana Mitrofan and Elena Zaharia.

Meanwhile, in the opposite half of the draw, Vanshika Bhargava, Diya Parag Chitale and Munmun Kundu had received a direct entry to the semi-finals where they faced the Korea ‘B’ Team pairing of Kim Seongjin and Lee Daeun; a three matches to one win was the verdict.

Notably Diya Parag Chitale remained unbeaten in singles matches throughout the whole competition.