by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Leili Mostafavi beat Norway’s Ilka Doval (7-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-2); Nolwenn Fort accounted for Finland’s Anna Kirichenko (11-4, 11-9, 7-11, 14-12).

Unexpected first places for Leili Mostafavi and Nolwenn Fort; it was the same for the host nation’s Andrea Perez and for Chinese Taipei’s Su Pei-Ling. Similarly both completed their initial stage engagements by overcoming the leading name in their respective groups.

Furthermore, each succeeded in a most imposing manner. Andrea Perez accounted for Italy’s Veronica Mosconi (11-6, 11-8, 11-7) to maintain her perfect record; at the same time Su Pei-Ling was in no mood for charity, she overcame Hong Kong’s Liu Qi (11-7, 11-6, 11-8).

Not a defeat against their name; it was the same for Spain’s Zhang Xuan, Japan’s Satsuki Odo and Korea’s Yoon Hyobin, the difference being that they started proceedings as the leading names in the respective Under 21 Women’s Singles qualification groups.

Zhang Xuan, the highest rated of all, beat Russia’s Anna Karpova (11-5, 11-5, 11-5), Satsuki Odo accounted for Ana Garcia, like Zhang Xuan from Spain (11-5, 14-12, 11-9). Similarly, Yoon Hyobin beat Italy’s Le Thi Hong Loan (11-2, 11-6, 11-5).

Success for Yoon Hyobin; she becomes one of two Koreans to reserve Under 21 Women’s Singles main draw places; the other is Kim Youjin who the previous day had caused upset after upset to top her group.
After beating the host nation’s Ainhoa Cristobal (11-2, 11-3, 11-2), she beat the highest listed in the group, Hong Kong’s Zhu Chengzhu (11-5, 11-4, 11-6).

Play in the main draw of the Women’s Singles event commences on Friday 30th March.