Egyptian becomes first African woman to reach ITTF World Cup main draw

Egypt's Dina Meshref has become the first African woman to reach the main draw of the ITTF World Cup ©ITTF

Dina Meshref of Egypt has become the first African woman to reach the main draw at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Women’s World Cup as the qualification phase of the event in Sendai, Japan drew to a close today.

The Egyptian claimed a 10-12, 11-8, 11-4, 11-5, 4-11, 14-12 success over number 10 seed Doo Hoi Kem, before Chinese-born Dutch player Li Jiao, winner of the women’s singles crown at the inaugural European Games in Baku in the summer, also beat the player from Hong Kong.

Li’s success ensured both competitors progressed to the next round and the 42-year-old then breezed to a commanding 11-7, 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 victory against Meshref to seal top spot in the group.

“I’ve practised against Chinese players but never against anyone with her style,” Meshref said.

“I’m really pleased to have the record.

“Just hope I can get a good draw tomorrow; not one of the Chinese!”

The Egyptian got her wish as she avoided any of the top-ranked Chinese players but instead she will go up against London 2012 silver medallist Ai Fukuhara of Japan.

Elsewhere, two-times European champion Georgina Pota of Hungary bounced back from defeat in her opening match to book her place in the main draw of with victory over Caroline Kumahara of Brazil.

Li Jiao of The Netherlands is also through as she won both of her qualification group matches ©Getty Images

After suffering a 15-13, 11-4, 11-7, 11-7 loss at the hands of Germany’s Petrissa Solja, the 30-year-old recovered in the second to progress to the first round with a four-games success.

“Against Petrissa this morning, I always have problems playing her, she’s left handed and I don’t like playing left-handers, she plays the ball wide to my forehand and then I’m struggling,” the Hungarian said.

“Against Caroline it was different, she’s right hand and she has a good backhand but that’s also my strength so I was happy playing to her backhand.”

Pota faces a tough main draw encounter as she will go up against China’s rising star Zhu Yuling, a member of the team which won team gold at this year’s World Championships on home soil in Suzhou.

The main draw of the competition begins tomorrow, which sees the top eight seeds join the various qualifiers, with World Championships runner-up Liu Shiwen in action against Cheng I-Ching of Taiwan.