SEOUL, The host country South Korea advanced to the quarterfinals of the women’s tournament at the ongoing world table tennis championships Wednesday.
South Korea defeated Brazil 3-1 in the round of 16 at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Team Table Tennis Championships in Busan.
By qualifying for the quarterfinals, South Korea has secured a spot in the Paris Olympics for this summer.
Next up will be China, the world’s premier ping pong powerhouse going for its 14th title in 15 world championships.
The five players for China are ranked first through fourth and then sixth in the world rankings: Sun Yingsha, Wang Yidi, Chen Meng, Wang Manyu and Chen Xingtong.
The quarterfinals are scheduled for Thursday at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center in the southeastern city.
In even-numbered years, the ITTF holds the team world championships. South Korea has not won a women’s team medal since 2012.
In the team tournament, each match is made up of up to five singles matches in a best-o
f-five format. Teams are each carrying five players, but only three players can play in each match. If a match goes the distance, two players will each play twice.
South Korean leadoff Shin Yu-bin, the team’s highest-ranked player at No. 8, dropped the opening singles match, with Bruna Takahashi beating her 3-2 (7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8).
Jeon Ji-hee, world No. 21, then turned the momentum around in South Korea’s favor, as she shut down Giulia Takahashi 3-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-2).
Lee Zion, ranked 44th, gave South Korea the lead after beating Bruna Alexandre 3-0 (11-5, 11-8, 11-4).
Jeon finished off Brazil in the fourth singles match, as she beat Bruna Takahashi 3-0 (11-7, 11-1, 11-3).
Source: Yonhap News Agency