by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Adriana Diaz, the no.4 seed, was beaten by qualifier, Mitsuho Kimura (11-5, 11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5), Bruna Takahashi, the no.13 seed, experienced defeat at the hands of Miyu Takahashi, the no.13 seed (11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-8).

“Today it was important to be consistent and to stay calm; she played very strongly from the backhand.” Mitsuho Kimura

Defeat for Adriana Diaz, somewhat against expectations but she was not the only casualty, Romania’s Adina Diaconu, the no.6 seed, was beaten by Hong Kong’s Chau Wing Sze, the 15 seed (11-8, 11-6, 11-6, 12-10).

Otherwise, matters progressed very much as anticipated with Zhang Xuan flying the flag for Europe, she accounted for fellow qualifier, Russia’s Daria Shadrina (11-8, 11-4, 12-10, 11-7).

Success for Spain but it was Asia that dominated. Miyu Kato added to Japanese success, the no.3 seed, she beat Korea’s Kim Jiho, the no.10 seed (7-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-6, 11-8); three players through to the last eight for Japan, it is the same number for China.

In the third round Sun Yingsha, the top seed, overcame Chinese Taipei’s Su Pei-Ling (11-7, 11-2, 11-4, 11-9), Wang Manyu, the no.2 accounted for Indian qualifier Archana Girish Kamath (11-2, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7); Qian Tianyi ended the hopes of Korea defender Kim Youjin, the no.11 seed (12-10, 11-6, 11-6, 10-12, 11-5).

“I felt confident because she very rarely attacked, she kept defending; Now I’m really tired!” Qian Tianyi

At the quarter-final stage Sun Yingsha meets Miyu Nagasaki, Qian Tianyi opposes Mitsuho Kimura; in the opposite half of the draw Miyu Kato confronts Zhang Xuan, Chau Wing Sze faces Wang Manyu.

The matches will be played later in the evening.