However, for the remaining outfits who started proceedings as highest seeded team in their respective groups it was defeat and no place in the main draw; only first position secured progress.

Represented by Isa Cok, Camille Lutz and Prithika Pavade; France experienced a 3-2 reverse at the hands of the no.12 seeds, Japan’s Reina Aso, Nao Fukuoka and Miya Inayoshi. Notably Prithika Pavade beat both Noa Fukuoka (12-10, 11-9, 11-3) and Reina Aso (12-10, 12-14, 10-12, 11-9, 11-9) but that was the sum total of French success.

Likewise, the no.4 seeds, the combination of Romania’s Tania Plaian alongside the United States duo of Hsieh Tia Lyn and Rachel Sung suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of the no.18 seeds, Korea Republic’s Dana Jung, Arin Yun and Lee Youngi. Similar to Reina Aso, Nao Fukuoka and Miya Inayoshi, the Koreans remained unbeaten to top the group.

Surprise first places, the greatest surprise was that achieved by Chinese Taipei’s Chen Ci-Xuan, Chen Tzu-Ting and Jhou Ting-Yu. They started the day the no.19 seeds, the lowest rated team on duty; they recorded a 3-0 win against the no.5 seeds, the Hong Kong combination of Goi Rui Xuan, Wong Xin Ru and Pearlyn Koh Kai Xin to secure first place.

Top spot for Chen Ci-Xuan, Chen Tzu-Ting and Jhou Ting-Yu against the odds, it was the same for their colleagues. The no.8 seeds, Hsu Yin-Chen, Yu Hsiu-Ting and Chang Ju-Chia posted a 3-0 win in opposition to India’s Swastika Ghosh, Diya Parag Chitale and Poymantee Baisya to reserve top spot.

Play in the junior girls’ team event concludes on Thursday 16th May.