by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Imposing performances were the order of proceedings, the one player to experience problems being Qian Tianyi.

The no.7 seed, after securing the first three games against the fast close to the table attacking skills of Japanese qualifier Mitsuho Kimura, lost the next two, before eventually regaining control of matters to win sixth and secure the victory (14-12, 13-11, 11-6, 11-13, 11-13, 11-7).

“I had to play with more spin against her fast play. In the fourth and fifth games, I didn’t handle the crucial points carefully enough. I let my guard down when I was leading, I think that’s the reason why I lost those two games. I wasn’t comfortable receiving her serves at the start but I was able to adapt to it as the game progressed, it got better.” Qian Tianyi

Problems for Qian Tianyi, for her colleagues there were no unsurmountable difficulties.

Sun Yingsha, the top seed, after losing the first game against Japan’s Miyu Nagasaki, the no.8 seed, recovered to win the next four (7-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9, 11-5). Meanwhile, Wang Manyu showed no charity whatsoever, the no.2 seed, she overcame Hong Kong’s Chau Wing Sze, the no.15 seed, in four straight games (11-2, 11-4, 11-8, 11-5).

A straight games win for Wang Manyu, for Miyu Kato, the no.3 seed, in opposition to Spanish qualifier, Zhan Xuan, it was a five games success (11-7, 18-16, 11-7, 7-11, 11-5).

At the semi-final stage Sun Yingsha meets Qian Tianyi, Miyu Kato opposes Wang Manyu.

The Girls’ Singles event will be played to a conclusion on Sunday 3rd December, the closing day of action in Riva del Garda.