SAITAMA –

The 2019 ISU World Championships opened at Saitama Super Arena on Wednesday. Here's a selection of photos from the women's short program.

Russia
Russia's Alina Zagitova scored a 82.08 with her short program to take the lead in the women's singles competition. | DAN ORLOWITZ

Kaori Sakamoto
Japan champion Kaori Sakamoto scored 76.86 to finished second in the women's short program. | DAN ORLOWITZ

Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan's Elizabet Tursynbaeva scored 75.96 with an impressive short program to move into third place. | DAN ORLOWITZ

Fans of Rika Kihira hold up a banner during the ISU World Championships on Wednesday night.
Fans of Rika Kihira hold up a banner during the ISU World Championships on Wednesday night. | DAN ORLOWITZ

Rika Kihira
Rika Kihira | DAN ORLOWITZ

Rika Kihira
Rika Kihira | DAN ORLOWITZ

Fans hold up Japanese flags before Satoko Miyahara
Fans hold up Japanese flags before Satoko Miyahara's short program Wednesday at Saitama Super Arena. | DAN ORLOWITZ

Satoko Miyahara
Satoko Miyahara | DAN ORLOWITZ

Kaori Sakamoto
Kaori Sakamoto | DAN ORLOWITZ

Kaori Sakamoto
Kaori Sakamoto | DAN ORLOWITZ