Anna Bikbaeva maintains form

Required to qualify Russia’s Anna Bikbaeva continued her outstanding run of form; she beat Hungary’s Dora Madarasz, the no.9 seed (11-5, 11-7, 11-9, 11-5) to reserve her quarter-final place.

Alas for India’s Krittwika Roy, also a qualifier, it was the end of the road; despite a spirited recovery, she was beaten by Szandra Pergel, the no.7 seed (11-7, 11-1, 11-9, 9-11, 7-11, 9-11, 11-5).

Mentally strong

Minnie Soo Wai Yam, the no.2 seed, booked her quarter-final place courtesy of success against Japan’s Sakura Mori, the no.15 seed (7-11, 13-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-7) in a round that witnessed a more than satisfactory outcome for Hong Kong.

“I feel pretty satisfied with my performance. My body condition is not in top form but I was mentally very strong. I just finished the World Championships. I think that I am better tactically from day to day.” Minnie Soo Wai Yam

Zhu Chengzhu, the no.28 seed, suffered at the hands of Russia’s Polina Mikhailova (11-7, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6); however, Ng Wing Nam, the no.3 seed, overcame Stéphanie Loueillette of France, the no.10 seed (15-13, 11-9, 10-12, 5-11, 11-6, 11-6).

“When I lead 2-0, I thought I had opportunities to finish the match. I was little bit too relaxed and I lost next two game. She had a pretty good service and I had to adapt my game. I became more effective in returning her service; finally won this match.” Ng Wing Nam

Ng Wing Nam now faces Polina Mikhailova in the quarter-finals in a quest to restore Hong Kong honour; Minne Soo Wai Yam opposes Italy’s Li Xiang, the no.17 seed. In round three she beat Audrey Zarif of France, the no.20 seed (11-4, 11-5, 11-7, 11-8).

Eyes on the prize

The hot favourite to lift the women’s singles trophy in Belgrade, Hina Hayata took another step in the right direction on her quest for silverware as she overcame fellow Japanese compatriot Airi Abe across five games (11-9, 7-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-6).

“I am glad that I won this match. I never played against Abe before so I had to adapt my game through this match. My plan is to take it step by step until the end…” Hina Hayata

No drama for Slovakian star

A major contender for women’s singles success in Belgrade the Slovak Republic’s Barbora Balazova has extended her stay in the competition, producing a fine 4-0 victory over Hong Kong’s Zhang Wenjing (13-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6).

“I am glad that my match went quite well. I prepared for this match, especially from a mental aspect, because I hadn’t played against her before; I watched some videos of her games. I had to adapt myself for her game and I did so successfully!” Barbora Balazova

Latin American hopes take serious hit but hope remains

Three pairs consisting of players from Latin America suffered elimination at the opening hurdle of the men’s doubles but there is still a glimmer of hope for the continent with the Puerto Rican duo of Brian Afanador and Daniel Gonzalez prevailing in their encounter against Sweden’s Simon Arvidsson and Elias Ranefur (11-4, 11-6, 11-7).

Hong Kong qualifiers stay on course

Unseeded and required to compete in qualification action, Hong Kong’s Li Ching Wan and Zhu Chengzhu are through to the last eight of the women’s doubles draw after posting a 3-1 win over no.5 seeds Bernadett Balint and Mercedes Nagyvaradi (11-2, 1-11, 11-8, 11-6).

There was also success for Ng Wing Nam and Minnie Soo Wai Yam, who accounted for Italy’s Li Xiang and Russia’s Polina Mikhailova in a five-game thriller (7-11, 17-15, 11-6, 7-11, 11-4).

“I am playing with my colleague from national team, we are the number one seeds, and we will try to win this tournament.” Minnie Soo Wai Yam

Tom Jarvis sinks top seed

The top seed of the Under 21 men’s singles event, Tobias Hippler has fallen at the quarter-finals stage of play in Belgrade with the German competitor losing out to England’s Tom Jarvis, seeded fifth, by a convincing 3-0 margin (11-8, 11-5, 11-7).

Home favourite falls

One of Serbia’s leading names but Sabina Surjan has missed out on a spot in the Under 21 women’s singles semi-finals, falling to fourth seeded Russian opponent Maria Malanina in straight games (11-6, 11-3, 11-9).