Winner of the Girls’ Singles title at the Italian Junior and Cadet Open earlier in the year, Hong Kong’s Zhu Chengzhu was the one player to cause an upset, as matters came to a conclusion in the first stage of proceedings in the Women’s Singles event at the GAC Group 2015 ITTF World Tour Australia Open in Tweed Heads on Thursday 4^th June.

Listed at no.135 on the current Women’s World Rankings, she overcame Japan’s Miyu Kato, named at no.55, to secure first place in the group and thus a passport to the main draw.

Zhu Chengzhu, 18 years old and currently occupying the no.11 spot on the ITTF Junior Circuit Girls’ Standings succeeded in a most impressive manner; she won in five games (11-8, 11-6, 12-10, 6-11, 11-8).

Disappointment for Miyu Kato but the defeat was not terminal; she finished in second place in the group and thus advanced to the second stage.

Predictable Outcome

First place for Zhu Chengzhu against expectations, it was the same for Korea’s Moon Hyunjung, but the surprise was to a much lesser extent.

The player who once was listed at no.19 on the Women’s World Rankings but owing to an absence from international play, has no current status, secured pole position. On the opening day of play, Korea’s Moon Hyunjung had overcome 14 year old Hina Hayata, listed at no.50 on the current World rankings and like Miyu Kato from Japan, in five games (10-12, 11-5, 11-5, 11-5, 11-6).

On the second day of play she completed her first phase itinerary in a similar manner; she overcame Australia’s Chao Jiaming (11-4, 11-9, 12-10, 5-11, 11-4).

Hina Hayata duly beat Chao Jiaming (11-6, 11-3, 11-6, 12-10) to secure second position in the group and a place in the main draw.

Top Spot Secured

Otherwise for the highest rated player in each first stage group in the Women’s Singles event it was top spot.

Japan’s Miu Hirano, the highest rated player on first stage duty topped her group, as did her colleagues Misaki Morizono, Misako Wakamiya, Hitomi Sato, Hina Hayata and Yui Hamamoto.

Also, in a similar vein, it was top spot for Hong Kong’s Lee Ho Ching and Tie Yana, as it was for Singapore’s Zeng Jian and Korea’s Lee Dasom.

Article by: ITTF - Ian Marshall

Photo by: Marcos Clark