by Simon Daish

Second Prevails Over First

Doo Hoi Kem (Hong Kong) and Zeng Jian (Singapore) were the favourites to reach the Under 21 final, having been seeded as the top two players in the category and both achieved that feat after beating Japan’s Sakura Mori and Miyu Maeda respectively in the last four.

However, rather unexpected was the score registered in the final as Zeng waltzed to a 3-0 win against the number one seed.

Zeng took the early initiative in the match moving 1-0 ahead with a strong opening game performance, and despite Doo’s best efforts it was Zeng who claimed game two in deuce to double her lead.

Both finalists continued to fight it out on the table and were neck-and-neck heading into the later stages of the third end, but there could only be one winner and that turned out to be Zeng as the Singapore player narrowly edged Doo to take the trophy (11-6, 13-11, 11-9).

“My performance today exceeds my expectation. I am very satisfied with myself today. Now I have to focus on the Women’s Singles.” – Zeng Jian (Singapore).

Focus Turns to Senior Competition

Defeat for Doo Hoi Kem but the 19-year-old is now looking ahead to the Women’s Singles draw, “Zeng Jian performed better than me today. Actually we are good friends.” Doo added, “Tomorrow if we both win in the Women’s Singles, we will meet again and I will try my best to win.”

The Women’s Singles event will see Zeng Jian take on Liu Yu-Hsin (Chinese Taipei), while Doo Hoi Kem goes head-to-head against another Singapore competitor, Lin Ye. Another tie between Zeng and Doo potentially awaits on day three, but would require both players to pick up victories in their Round of 32 matches.

Latest Results

Thursday 15th September: Under 21 Women’s Singles – Main Draw