by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager
The Chinese trio finished ahead of the Czech Republic, the no.2 seeds, who selected from Zdena Blaskova, Gabriela Stepanova, Tereza Pytlikova and Terezie Sazimova; third place was the lot of the combination formed by India’s Diya Parag Chitale, Poland’s Gabriela Dyszkiewicz and Ukraine’s Anasatasiya Yepifantseva.
No place in the main draw for the second seeds; there were no such problems for the remaining leading teams in a competition that witnessed five groups in the initial phase.
Top seeded, the combination of Amy Wang of the United States alongside England’s Denise Payet and Megan Gidney duly topped their group as did the French combination of Lucie Gauthier, Berenice Marteau and Prithika Pavade, the no.3 seeds.
Likewise, Germany’s Franziska Schreiner, Sara Mantz and Yuki Tsutsui, the no.4 seeds, secured first place in their group, as did the Italian combination of Valentina Roncallo, Jamila Laurenti and Arianne Barani, the no.5 seeds.
Meanwhile, in the Cadet Girls’ Team event, it was very much the same scenario. China represented by Yang Shilu, Mao Ruyue and Xie Jiatong duly upset the order of merit to secure first place in their initial phase group.
They finished ahead of the Italy ‘A’ selection of Nicole Arlia and Aurora Cicuttini with Spain ‘A’, the no.6 seeds represented by Ainhoa Cristobal and Jana Riera, in third place.
In the remaining groups it was first place for the highest rated teams. The Czech Republic, Croatia, Russia, Portugal and Romania ‘A’ duly topped their respective groups.
All team events conclude on Saturday 12th May.
