(by Steve Hopkins)

The WTT Star Contender Bangkok featured eight players inside the Women’s Top 20.  China’s Chen Xingtong (World No. 5) was the tournament’s top seed, followed by Sofia Polcanova of Austria and Adriana Diaz of Puerto Rico.  USA’s Lily Zhang (World No. 23) was seeded 11th.

Chen Xingtong dominated the top half of the draw, winning 3-1 over Zhu Chengshu, then 3-0 over Shin Yubin, and 3-1 over Kuai Man.  Chen’s toughest match of the tournament was her Semifinal matchup against Adriana Diaz – a 3-2 win for Xingtong.

Diaz, Puerto Rico’s top ranked player, was pushed early against Korea’s Kim Hayeong – winning 3-2 after being tied 8-8 in the final game.  Diaz went on to defeat Sawettabut 3-0 before facing USA’s Lily Zhang in the Quarterfinals.  Lily had a solid showing, with an upset over Japan’s Miu Hirano 3-0.

Miwa Harimoto also logged a significant upset with her 3-0 win over Sofia Polcanova.  Miwa fell in the Quarterfinals to Korea’s Joo Cheonhui 3-2.  Cheonhui made it all the way to the Final where she fell 4-1 to Chen Xingtong.

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