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Seamaster 2018 ITTF World Tour, Hungarian Open

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Contrary to status, first places secured

16 Jan 2018

Success in their opening contests contrary to status in the Women’s Singles qualification tournament to secure places in the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Hungarian Open in Budapest, in their second engagements of the day, on Tuesday 16th January, it was the very same scenario.

Croatia’s Sun Jiayi, China’s He Zhuojia and Italy’s Li Xiang completed their group stage matches without defeat; thus first place and progress to the preliminary rounds was secured.

First place for He Zhoujia (Photo: Richard Kalocsai)

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Listed at no.393 on the current Women’s World Rankings, Sun Jiayi, having beaten Poland’s Natalia Bajor (9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6), concluded her group stage contests with a similarly impressive win against Britt Eerland of the Netherlands (10-12, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-8). Presently Natalia Bajor is at no.228 in the global order, Britt Eerland at no.228.

“I felt I had a very good chance to win the match after winning the first game; that was very important. I dropped one game because I was focusing on winning not focusing on my game. My coach kept me on track and so I felt confident again.” Sun Jiayi

Impressive from Sun Jiayi, it was even more impressive from He Zhuojia, like Li Xiang, a player with no current world ranking. Having beaten Sweden’s Li Fen, named at no.134 (11-7, 11-2, 11-9, 11-5), she overcame the Czech Republic’s Dana Cechova, listed at no.107 (11-9, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 3-11, 11-3) to reserve top spot in the group.

Similarly, Li Xiang showed no charity; a straight games win over Egypt’s Yousra Helmy, ranked no.123 (11-5, 11-7, 11-2, 11-6) was followed by a similar margin of victory when confronting Audrey Zarif of France, named at no.117 on the current listings (11-7, 11-4, 11-5, 11-5).

Defeats but there were no such travails for the leading names on qualification duty.

Poland’s Li Qian opened her account with victory over Laura Pfeffer of France (11-4, 11-9, 11-2, 11-8), Egypt’s Dina Meshref overcame the Czech Republic’s Kristyna Stefcova (11-7, 11-3, 11-5, 10-12, 11-4).

Similarly, Austria’s Liu Jia beat Canada’s Alicia Cote (11-3, 11-5, 6-11, 11-5, 11-5), Romania’s Bernadette Szocs defeated Slovakia’s Lucia Truksova (11-8, 11-3, 11-8, 11-3).

“It is always nice to win your first match four-nil. I feel i am ready for my next match.” Bernadette Szocs

Success for four notable names and there was success for one of the most notable; China’s Sun Yingsha opened her account with victory over Italy’s Jamila Laurenti (4-11, 11-5, 11-6, 11-9, 11-8).

“It was a great experience to play her. I am very happy I managed to win the first game and made it difficult for her. I am pleased; every game was tight, I was able to put her under pressure.” Jamila Laurenti

The qualification tournament concludes on Wednesday 17th January.

World Tour 2018 Seamaster Hungarian Open Sun Jiayi He Zhoujia Li Xiang

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