Japan’s An Naoe caused the biggest shock of the day, in the opening round she beat fellow 14 year old, Prithika Pavade of France, the no.2 seed (11-9, 4-11, 13-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-9), before accounting for India’s Poymantee Baisya (11-6, 11-7, 8-11, 11-8, 11-6) to reserve her third round spot.

Most certainly An Naoe could reflect on her performance with pride, however, the proudest player was the host nation’s Pakawan Karnthang. She accounted for China’s Zang Xiaotong, the no.16 (12-10, 11-9, 5-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-9), prior to overcoming Hong Kong’s Karen Lee Hoi Man (11-13, 11-4, 11-9, 11-9, 11-9).

“No matter how strong your competitor is or whether you win or lose, just be yourself, put all you have into it and play the game as best as you can.” Pakawan Karnthang

Progress to round three for An Naoe and Pakawan Karnthang but for the remaining players who caused opening round upsets, it was defeat.

Malaysia’s Karen Lyne ousted Hong Kong’s Lee Ka Yee, the no.4 seed (3-11, 11-9, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-5), before losing to Anna Hursey of Wales (10-12, 11-7, 11-2, 11-5, 6-11, 11-9). Similarly, Hong Kong’s Chelsea Chan Shiu Lam beat India’s Swastika Ghosh, the no.8 seed (7-11, 8-11, 5-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-3, 11-6), prior to suffering at the hands of Korea Republic’s Lee Youngi (11-9, 11-9, 11-2, 10-12, 11-4); Chinese Taipei’s Chang Ju-Chia accounted for Camille Lutz of France, the no.15 seed (11-7, 11-8, 11-7, 14-12) but then lost to Japan’s Yuka Aoki (15-13, 11-7, 11-8, 11-9).

In a similar vein, Romania’s Elena Zaharia emerged successful in opposition Chau Wing Sze, like Chelsea Chan Shiu Lam from Hong Kong (11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9, 11-6) but then found Japan’s Misa Inayoshi a step too far (9-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6, 3-11, 11-6).

Meanwhile, in the second round, the biggest name to fall was that of Romania’s Tania Plaian, she was beaten by China’s Kuai Man (11-7, 11-1, 11-3, 11-4). Defeat against a Chinese opponent who is undoubtedly better than ranking may suggest; it was the same for Singapore’s Goi Rui Xuan, the no.7 seed, as it was for India’s Diya Parag Chitale, the no.14 seed. Goi Rui Xuan was beaten by Qin Yuxuan (11-4, 8-11, 14-12, 11-4, 11-9), Diya Parag Chitale by Yuan Yuan (11-5, 11-5, 11-9, 11-2).

Outcomes not unexpected; for Hong Kong’s Wong Chin Yau, the no.10 seed and Rachel Sung of the United States, the no.11 seed, the second round exits were perhaps not to be anticipated in the same vein. Wong Chin Yau was beaten by Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Yi-Chien (11-7, 11-3, 12-10, 5-11, 11-5), Rachel Sung departed at the hands of Yua Yamasaki (9-11, 11-9, 11-8, 4-11, 9-11, 11-2, 11-8).

Surprises but in the second round for the very elite names, there was success; Shi Xunyao, the top seed, beat India’s Prapti Sen (11-3, 11-6, 11-5, 11-5), Jamila Laurenti, the no.3 seed overcame Hong Kong’s Fung Wai Chu (11-7, 11-3, 11-7, 10-12, 11-6).

Play at the SET 2019 ITTF Thailand Junior and Cadet Open concludes on Sunday 19th May.