Shi Xunyao (right) shocked the top seed in the women's singles quarter-final ©ITTF/Facebook

Number one seed Miu Hirano crashed out of the girls' singles competition at the quarter final stage today at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Junior Championships in Cape Town.

She was beaten 4-0 by Shi Xunyao of China, a player who does not even register on the world rankings list, at the GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World venue.

It brought a disappointing end to a season which the 16-year-old crowned with her shock victory at the ITTF Women's World Cup in Philadelphia earlier this year.

Miyu Kato, the fourth seed, is now the only Japanese player left in the draw after a 4-0 win over South Korea's Kim Jiho in her quarter-final.

Adina Diaconu ensured there will be European representation at the last-four stage as the Romanian also won in four straight games against a South Korean opponent in Kim Youjin.

Kim Youjin produced a huge shock in the round of 32 before losing in the women's singles ©ITTF
Kim Youjin produced a huge shock in the round of 32 before losing in the women's singles ©ITTF

Win Mak Tze secured the fourth spot after a hard-fought 4-3 win over Sun Yizhen of China.

Kato aside, it was a poor day for Japan as South Korean defender Kim claimed a shock 4-3 win over second seed Mima Ito at the last 32 stage before Diaconu halted her run.

Four nations will be represented in the boys' singles semi-finals.

Yang Shuo of China beat South Korea's An Jae-hyun 4-2 and Tomokazu Harimoto of Japan won a 4-3 thriller against Frenchman Alexandre Cassin.

Cho Seungmin ensured there was some South Korean success by vanquishing Tobias Hippler 4-2 while Ng Pak Nam of Hong Kong beat Taiwan's Huang Chien-tu 4-0.