by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Named at no.60 on the current rankings, Petrissa Solja was beaten by China’s He Zhuojia, listed at no.282 (11-2, 11-4, 11-3, 12-10); Han Ying suffered at the hands of Russia’s Yulia Prokhorova (11-9, 12-10, 5-11, 11-13, 11-7, 13-11) in what was arguably biggest upset of the round. Presently Yulia Prokhorova is ranked no.343; Han Ying is named at no.34.

Success contrary to ranking for He Zhuojia; in the round to decide main draw places it was the same from colleague Chen Ke. Standing at no.44 on the present day rankings, she accounted for Japan’s Saki Shibata, listed at no.24 (11-3, 11-7, 11-5, 9-11, 11-3), a feat she also achieved later in the day at the semi-final stage of the Under 21 Women’s Singles event (11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7).

Impressive, it was the same from Korea’s Choi Hyojoo and Yoo Eunchong as it was from Japan’s Miyu Nagasaki and Miyuu Kihara; all reserved their places in the competition proper courtesy of success in the concluding qualifying round.

Notably Yoo Eunchong, ranked no.84 and Miyuu Kihara listed at no.82 beat colleagues. Yoo Eunchong accounted for Yang Haeun who occupies the no.38 spot in the current order of merit (11-8, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7); Miyuu Kihara overcame Miyu Maeda, named at no.45 (11-9, 10-12, 11-6, 3-11, 11-2, 16-14).

Meanwhile, Choi Hyojoo ended the hopes of Japan’s Maki Shiomi (11-3, 6-11, 11-8, 11-9, 12-10), Miyu Nagasaki defeated Cho Hyojoo’s colleague, Jeon Jihee (11-7, 11-9, 11-7, 12-10). On the current Women’s World Rankings, Choi Hyojoo stands at no.59, Maki Shiomi is at no.40; Miyu Nagasaki is at no.68, Jeon Jihee at no.28.

The first round of the Women’s Singles event will be played in entirety on Thursday 24th May.