GB’s Anna Hursey matched world No 4 Kuai Man all the way but lost their last-32 clash in three tight games at the China Smash.

The Welsh youngster (WR 76) was in the proverbial lion’s den as she competed against the Chinese fourth seed on her home ground in Beijing. But she was not overawed and on another day could have pinched at least one game.

Jarvis picks up good wins in qualifying

The first game saw both players lead, though never by more than the two-point advantage Hursey had at 7-5 and 8-6. At 9-9, it was anyone’s to take, but two booming forehands by left-handed Kuai sealed it.

Game two saw Hursey face a 6-0 deficit but she did not panic and worked her way back to 8-8 and then 9-9. Once again, the next two points went to Kuai, with Hursey missing an attempted long, fast serve on game point as she tried something different.

The third was almost a mirror image of the second as Hursey led 6-1 and Kuai fought back to 8-8 and then 9-9. This time, Hursey brought up a game point on Kuai’s serve, but a loose receive enable the fourth seed to pounce and level up, and two more big forehands ended the match.

Hursey earns 90 world ranking points for reaching the last 32 – and provides more evidence that she is capable of mixing with exalted company.

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In the round of 64, Hursey stayed on the roll she built up during qualifying as she came from behind against her Portuguese opponent Shao (WR 56).

It was Shao who made the stronger start, opening up an 8-3 lead and, although Hursey won six points on the spin, Shao found the end-of-game momentum to take it 11-9.

Hursey came storming back to take the second 11-5, winning the first three points of the game and pulling steadily clear, and there was a similar pattern in the third, which she led 5-1 and 8-2 and went on to win 11-7.

The start of the fourth was tighter, but Hursey was only behind for one point and four successive points from 6-5 gave her five match points – she only needed two.

Results

Women’s Singles
Round of 64
Anna Hursey (WAL) bt Jieni Shao (POR) 3-1 (9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-6)

Round of 32
Kuai Man (CHN) bt Hursey 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 12-10)