by Ian Marshall, Editor
Supported by the ITTF Foundation and Sportsmaster, Kim Song I and Suh Hyowon upset the order of merit; required to compete in the qualification tournament, they accounted for Hong Kong’s Ng Wing Nam and Minnie Soo Wai Yam, the no.6 seeds, a pair who rather lost their way after winning the fourth game and seemingly having adapted to the backspin artistry of their adversaries. A five games victory margin was the end result (9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 6-11, 11-3).
Somewhat conversely, it was as anticipated for Honoka Hashimoto and Hitomi Sato, the no.2 seeds, they accounted for the combination of Croatia’s Sun Jiayi and Singapore’s Zeng Jian, in three straight games (11-5, 11-8, 11-8).
“The first match in the main draw is always difficult. In the second game, we were focused to play more on saving points, not taking risks. After we got a lead we started playing our game.” Hitomi Sato
Success for Kim Song I and Suh Hyowon contrary to seeding; it was the same for China’s Liu Gaoyang and Zhang Rui. Qualifiers, they accounted for the host nation’s Matilda Ekholm and Li Fen, the no.8 seeds (9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-7).
Otherwise, it was success for the favourites.
Korea Republic’s Jeon Jihee and Yang Haeun, the top seeds, beat Singapore’s Lin Ye and Yu Mengyu (11-8, 11-5, 11-9), Hong Kong’s Doo Hoi Kem and Lee Ho Ching, the no.3 seed, accounted for the partnership formed by DPR Korea’s Cha Hyo Sim and Korea Republic’s Choi Hyojoo (11-5, 11-9, 11-9).
Similarly, Japan’s Kasumi Ishikawa and Mima Ito, the no.4 seeds, beat India’s Manika Batra and Archana Girish Kamath (12-10, 11-4, 11-1); China’s Chen Meng and Wang Manyu, the no.5 seeds, ousted the European partnership of Slovakia’s Barbora Balazova and Hana Matelova (13-11, 11-5, 8-11, 14-12).
Disappointment for the old continent, it was even greater disappointment for a second European pair; Germany’s Petrissa Solja and Sabine Winter experienced agonizing defeat at the hands of Chen Xingtong and Sun Yingsha, the no.7 seeds (11-8, 11-13, 11-5, 6-11, 13-11).
The quarter-finals of the Women’s Doubles event commence play on Friday 2nd November.
