by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

One again, just as in the Cadet Boys’ Team final when a three-one defeat had been experienced; the Romanians were beaten by the Croatian combination of Ivan Ban and Javor Jakelic (12-10, 12-10, 11-8).

However, in the Cadet Boys’ Singles event, it was better news for the Romanians, especially for Manos Radoi, the no.5 seed, who in the latter stages had been in most impressive form.

In the round of the last eight he recovered from a two games to one deficit to beat Serbia’s Dimitrije Levajac, the top seed (9-11, 5-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-8), prior to securing his place in the title deciding match, courtesy of success in opposition to Nikola Mihailovic from Bosnia-Herzegovina (10-12, 11-7, 15-13, 11-8).

A somewhat surprise winner; arguably the appearance of Mihai Nemaciuc in the final was a mild surprise.

The no.3 seed, in the opening round he overcame Qatar’s Abdulaziz Al-Abdulla, the no.4 seed (11-8, 11-9, 13-11), the earlier than anticipated meeting being owing the fact that Abdulaziz Al-Abdulla had finished in second place in his first stage group. He had been beaten by Nikola Mihailovic (13-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9).

A place in the last eight, he accounted for the Czech Republic’s Tomas Martinko, the no.6 seed (11-6, 11-2, 11-1) and Javor Jakelic, the no.7 seed (11-5, 12-10, 11-9) to reserve his place in the title deciding match; thus maintaining his ascendancy over the Croatian. Three days earlier in the final of the Cadet Boys’ Team event, Mihai Nemaciuc had beaten Javor Jakelic by a similar margin (11-8, 11-7, 14-12).

Defeat for Javor Jakelic but he had impressed; at the quarter-final stage he had beaten Serbia’s Aleksandar Cokic (11-4, 11-3, 11-8), the first round winner against Qatar’s Nawaf Al-Malki, the no.2 seed (11-8, 6-11, 11-8, 11-7).

2016 Serbia Junior and Cadet Open: Main Draw – Cadet Boys’ Singles
2016 Serbia Junior and Cadet Open: Main Draw – Cadet Boys’ Doubles