by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager
Success for Chen Meng meant defeat for Ding Ning, a five games verdict being the outcome (11-8, 9-11, 11-5, 17-15, 11-6)
“The first three games were tight, very tight; there were many rallies in the match. They key was the fourth game; throughout the game Ding Ning was leading and I kept coming back, to win that game was a major boost. After that I played with more confidence.” Chen Meng
A place in the last eight achieved in style; It was the same for Wang Yidi against Hong Kong’s Lee Ho Ching, the no.12 seed (11-8, 15-13, 11-9, 11-9), as it was for Wang Manyu in opposition to Japan’s Miyu Kato (11-5, 11-9, 11-8, 12-10) and Sun Yingsha when facing Singapore’s Feng Tianwei, the no.3 seed (5-11, 11-6, 14-12, 11-7, 11-13, 11-4) to cause what was arguably the upset of the round.
Notably both Wang Yidi and Sun Yingsha commenced proceedings in the qualification stage; Wang Manyu was the no.5 seed.
Similarly, in the lower half of the draw, compatriots met. All Japanese duels witnessed success for Kasumi Ishikawa, the no.4 seed, against qualifier Miyu Nagasaki (11-6, 11-4, 3-11, 11-4, 6-11, 11-8) and for Miu Hirano in opposition to Hina Hayata (12-10, 13-11, 12-10, 13-11).
Also, as in the lower half of the draw there was an all Chinese clash, Liu Shiwen faced Chen Xingtong, the no.11 seed, in what proved the closest match of the round; although a qualifier it is fair to say the precedence prevailed. Liu Shiwen emerged successful by the very narrowest of margins (12-10, 9-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9).
“I’m very happy, I feel I played well; Chen Xingtong plays very fast, she has a good balanced game; physically she is in good shape, she plays very strongly. At 10-6 in the seventh game, she was very aggressive, I just needed one point but she played very consistently and very positively.” Liu Shiwen
Hard fought success for Liu Shiwen, it was the same for Japan’s Hitomi Sato, who in my view gave the performance of the round, defensive skills exquisite but prepared to execute a forehand top spin when the chance arose, she beat Cheng I-Ching in five games (11-8, 14-12, 6-11, 11-6, 13-11).
At the quarter-final stage Chen Meng meets Wang Yidi, Wang Manyu confronts Sun Yingsha; in the opposite half of the draw, Kasumi Ishikawa opposes Miu Hirano, Hitomi Sato faces Liu Shiwen.
The matches are scheduled for later in the evening.
