by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Occupying the top seeded position in the competition, he beat Japan’s Yu Kayama, the no.2 seed, to arrest the title (12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7, 11-3), having in the latter stages recorded equally impressive results.
In the round of the last eight he had accounted for Takeru Kashiwa (11-6, 11-8, 11-5, 11-5), like Yu Kayama from Japan, before reserving his place in the final courtesy of success against Chinese Taipei’s Li Hsing-Yang, the no.6 seed (12-10, 11-5, 8-11, 11-3, 11-1).
Less predictable
Matters very much according to plan in the top half of the draw; in the lower half, life was less predictable.
At the quarter-final stage Yu Kayama, accounted for Sharon Alguetti, the no.9 seed (5-11, 11-5, 8-11, 12-10, 13-11, 6-11, 11-7), before booking his place in the final courtesy of success in opposition to Victor Liu of the United States (11-7, 11-4, 11-1, 11-1).
Undoubtedly it was an impressive win; one round earlier Victor Liu had caused a major surprised by overcoming Germany’s Jannik Xu, the no.4 seed (11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 11-4, 11-8).
Reversal of fortunes
Last eight places for the Americans was against expectations; Sharon Alguetti having also caused an upset. One day earlier in the opening round, he had beaten Chinese Taipei’s Feng Yi-Hsin, the no.7 seed, in seven games (5-11, 7-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-5, 11-7, 11-8).
One day later the outcome was reversed; at the semi-final stage of the Cadet Boys’ Singles event, en route to the title, Feng Yi-Hsin, beat Sharon Alguetti in four games (11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 13-11) to reserve his place in the final where Victor Liu, awaited.
Impressively, in the penultimate round Victor Liu had beaten Takeru Kashiwa, the top seed by the very narrowest of decisions (7-11, 12-10, 11-9, 5-11, 12-10); in the final he was not quite able to rekindle the form. Feng Yi-Hsin emerged successful in four games (5-11, 13-11, 11-6, 11-9).
Success for Japan
Defeats for Japan; however, there was success.
Yu Kayama partnered Austria’s Maciej Kolodziejzyk to Junior Boys’ Doubles gold. At the final hurdle the international combination of Germany’s Meng Fanbo and Jannik Xu (6-11, 11-6, 11-6, 6-11, 11-6).
Next stop Serbia
Matters now concluded in Otocec, the focus is now on Vrnjacka Banja; the 2016 Serbian Junior and Cadet Open commences on Wednesday 5th October.
