The Chinese forum seems divided on this so I went to read the
ITTF 2019 Handbook.
[/B]
Due to the equivocal way the regulations are worded, it can be understood that separation by association might not apply to the main draw simply by reading 4.5.2.3
However, 4.5.2.3 also referenced 3.6.3.3 which talks about entries ranked 1 and 2 but does this mean the top and second seeds in the main draw or simply those in the preliminary rounds?
Nonetheless even if 3.6.3.3 refers to the seeds in the main draw, there is also no guarantee that players of the same association won't meet until the finals. Let's assume (using the latest WR) CNT sends CM (WR#1 hence top seed) and ZYL (WR#5 hence third seed) and JNT sends Ito (WR#4 hence second seed). The rules merely states that seeds 3 and 4 are to be grouped in different
quarters from seeds 1 and 2 so ZYL could theoretically be in the second quarter and thus same half as CM (i.e. players of same association separated but not necessarily by halves) right? The only definite way for CM and ZYL to be sorted into different halves is if they are the top two seeds. Unless it's late and my brain isn't functioning well?