by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager
However for her colleague, the no.2 seed and the one remaining player on duty in the Junior Girls’ Singles event who possesses a world ranking, it was defeat but hardly unexpected.
Cathrintina Arokia Dass was beaten by China’s Hu Yininghua (12-14, 11-8, 11-5, 11-4) and had to settle for second place in her group ahead of Côte d’Ivoire’s Sema Lago.
Similarly, Lin Lequan and Chen Junjin, the two further competitors from China made their presence felt; both topped their groups in style with Priscilla Loes and Assana Judith Eloiu, both like Sema Lago from the host association, securing second places and thus progressing to the main draw.
Notably, in the one further group, first position was secured by India; Shreya Shivakumar topped the group with runners up spot being secured by Côte d’Ivoire’s Noura Roxana Banao.
Meanwhile, in the Junior Girls’ Doubles, as in the Junior Girls’ Singles competition, China stated its case. Chen Junjin and Lin Lequan accounted for Cathrintina Arokia Dass and Selena Selvakumar (11-6, 8-11, 12-10, 13-11) and now meet colleague Hu Hu Yininghua who in harness with Shreya Shivakumar overcame Côte d’Ivoire’s Priscilla Loes and Taneo Nzebo (11-5, 11-0, 11-6).
In the opposite half of the draw and all home country semi-final witnesses a contest between Rebecca Houngue and Christine Kamenan in opposition to Bethele Grace Bly and Soma Lago.
Play in the Junior Girls’ Singles and Junior Girls’ Doubles events concludes on Monday 2nd April.
