by Simon Daish
French Flair
Each of the five French teams have progressed to their respective quarter-finals encounters: France-A, France-B and France-C in the Cadet Boys Teams event and France ‘A’ and France ‘B’ in the Cadet Girls’ Teams.
Isa Cok won a brace for France ‘A’ in the Girls’ Teams category against a very competent Germany ‘B’ squad. Leonie Berger and Jana Kirner were on the receiving end of Isa Cok’s victories, and with Isa Cok teaming up well with Cloe Chomis in the doubles the 3-1 win was soon assured for France ‘A’.
However, France ‘B’ had a tricky time trying to hold off Poland ‘A’; Elzbieta Kwiatkowska looked almost certain to force the tie into a deciding match, but a fantastic comeback from Lou Frete proved enough to seal France ‘B’ a spot in the next round.
France ‘B’ triumphed 3-0 over Norway ‘A’ in the Cadet Boys’ Teamcategory; Jules Cavaille and Bilal Hamache picked up straight games wins against Alexander Fransson and Borgar Haug , before the French duo combined to take the Doubles match in four ends to complete the victory.
The other two French sides competing in the Cadet Boys’ Team were also successful; Myshaal Sabhi (FRA) and Dorian Zheng (FRA) didn’t drop a single game for France ‘B’s tie with Belgium ‘B’, while France ‘C’ defeated Czech Republic-C courtesy of a strong showing from Alexis Lebrun (FRA) and Fabio Rakotoarimanana (FRA).
Close Shave for Chinese Taipei ‘B’ Boys’ Team
With Chinese Taipei ‘A’ and Chinese Taipei ‘B’ seeded in the top two of the Girls’ Team competition, both sides were handed a bye but both of the Chinese Taipei squads in the Boys Teams did require the right results to stay in the tournament.
Feng Yi-Hsin was the standout player for Chinese Taipei-A in the Boy Teams, winning both of his singles matches against Czech Republic-A’s Frantisek Onderka and Tomas Martinko alongside the Doubles fixture as Chinese Taipei ‘A’ waltzed into the last eight.
Yet for Chinese Taipei-B the deciding match was needed, requiring a recovery from 1-2 down to edge out Croatia ‘A’ by a 3-2 scoreline.
Huang Yan-Cheng gave Chinese Taipei the opening lead in the tie beating Filip Borovnjak (CRO), but Croatia soon levelled the score as Ivor Ban overcame Huang Hung-Chou (TPE) in five ends.
Then it was Croatia’s turn to move ahead on the scoreboard after their win in the Doubles, however, Huang Yan-Cheng and Huang Hung-Chou returned to the table, defeating Croatia’s Ivor Ban and Filip Borovnjak respectively to put Chinese Taipei ‘B’ through.
