by Ian Marshall, Editor

Earlier in the evening partnering Feng Yi-Hsin, the duo had beaten China’s Xiang Peng and Huang Fanzhen by the very narrowest of decisions (11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 2-11, 14-12); one wonders to what extent that gave Su Pei-Ling a major injection of confidence when due to face Japan’s Miyu Nagasaki, the no.4 seed, at the quarter-final stage.

Win a close match, it can be a major boost; it would seem to have had a positive effect on Su Pei-Ling. The no.7 seed, in a hard fought contest she prevailed in six games (11-6, 11-4, 11-7, 12-14, 11-9).

Defeat for Miyu Nagasaki, it was the same for colleagues Satsuki Odo and Miyuu Kihara but not against the odds; both departed at the hands of most worthy Chinese adversaries. Satsuki Odo, the no.6 seed, was beaten by Shi Xunyao, the top seed (11-6, 11-4, 11-7, 12-14, 11-9), Miyuu Kihara, the no.11 seed, experienced defeat at the hands of Qian Tianyi, the no.2 seed in full distance seven games engagement (6-11, 11-7, 11-5, 9-11, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7).

Although not the desired result for Japan, it was arguably the performance of the round; Miyuu Kihara is only 14 years old, four years the junior of Qian Tianyi.

The performance of the round; however, should that accolade go to Yumeno Soma the one member of the Japanese quartet to survive the quarter-final round? According to seeding she was the favourite, she occupied the no.23 seeded position as opposed her adversary, China’s Guo Yuhan listed down the order in the no.65 spot.

Earlier in the day Guo Yuhan had beaten Amy Wang of the United States, the no.10 seed, in four straight games (12-10, 12-10, 11-1, 11-8); clearly she was in good form but against the exquisite defensive skills of Yumeno Soma it was a very different proposition, Yumeno Soma prevailed in five games (11-6, 11-4, 11-7, 12-14, 11-9).

At the semi-final stage Shi Xunyao meets Yumeno Soma, Su Pei-Ling opposes Qian Tianyi; play in Bendigo concludes on Sunday 9th December.