by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Arguably the biggest name to fall was that of Romania’s Bernadette Szocs; the winner earlier this year at the ITTF Europe Top 16 tournament in Montreux. She was beaten in six games by Japan’s 13 year old Satsuki Odo (12-10, 8-11, 11-13, 12-10, 11-7, 11-9).

Equally, there was a surprise defeat for Hungary’s Georgina Pota, she suffered at the hands of Austria’s Amelie Solja (4-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9).

Meanwhile, somewhat similarly Portugal’s Fu Yu and Canada’s Zhang Mo started the day at the top rated players in their respective groups. Fu Yu was beaten by Sweden’s Li Fen (11-8, 11-9, 13-11, 7-11, 11-2), Canada’s Zhang Mo experienced defeat at the hands Marie Migot of France (8-11, 11-8. 12-14, 11-8, 5-11, 11-6, 11-4).

Also in a similar fashion there were defeats for Japan’s Miyu Maeda and for Hong Kong’s Jang Huajin. Miyu Maeda experienced defeat when facing China’s Li Jiayi (11-7, 11-4, 8-11, 11-5, 11-13, 8-11, 11-8), Jiang Huajun, was beaten by Monaco’s Yang Xiaoxin (11-3, 11-8, 4-11, 11-7, 11-8).

Defeats for Miyu Maeda and Jiang Huajun but arguably they were not great upsets; certainly the reverse experienced by Jiang Huajun’s colleague, Minnie Soo Wai Yam was in no stretch of the imagination an upset. The fourth highest rated player on qualification phase duty, she was beaten by Mu Zi, like Li Jiayi from China and in 2015 the winner of the Women’s Singles event on the ITTF World Tour in Sweden.

Play continues in the Women’s Singles qualification tournament on Wednesday 21st March.