by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager

Just one individual match was surrendered; that against the Canadian duo comprising Joyce Xu and Laura Lai.

After Zdena Blaskova had beaten Joyce Xu (17-19, 11-7, 11-5, 11-8), Annika Lundström suffered against Laura Lai by the very narrowest of margins (11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-9). However, to her credit, following doubles success (11-8, 11-6, 11-8), Annika Lundström beat Joyce Xu to seal the victory (8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-7).

It was to prove the only defeat of the day for the Canadians; thus second position and a place in the next phase of proceedings was secured. Teams finishing in first and second positions in each of the two groups advanced to the semi-finals.

Success for the top seeds but in the corresponding group it was defeat for the second seeds. The Canadian combination of Chen Yu-Hsan and Ivy Liao experienced a three-one reverse at the hand of China’s Lin Lequan and Li Yumeng.

Mainstay of the Chinese victory was Li Yumeng; she accounted for Chen Yu-Hsan (9-11, 11-2, 1-11, 11-8, 11-9), before partnering Lin Lequan to doubles success (9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-2) and then overcoming Ivy Liao to seal the victory (11-6, 11-13, 11-4, 11-9). The one win for the Canadians was recorded by Ivy Liao; in the opening match of the fixture she beat Lin Lequan (11-4, 11-6, 6-11, 11-4).

The Chinese duo ended the day unbeaten and thus reserved first place in the group; for the Canadians it was their only defeat, runners up spot and progress to the knock-out stage was their lot.

Play in the Junior Girls’ Team event concludes on Tuesday 29th May.