by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
A win of note but the Brazilians were hampered by the fact that in the third match of the fixture, Rodrigo Yonesake had to withdraw from proceedings, after losing the first game against Rohan Dhooria (11-1, 11-0, 11-0).
Success for Rohan Dhooria in somewhat unfortunate circumstances in what was a veritable team effort by the Australians; Carlos Ishida beat both Jake Duffy (10-12, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-7) and Dominic Huang (11-7, 11-6, 11-7) but that was the sum total of Brazilian success. Gustavo Kodama suffered in the opening match of the fixture against Dominic Huang (11-6, 12-10, 2-11, 11-4) and in the vital fifth and decisive contest when confronting Jake Duffy (11-6, 11-8, 11-5).
“I am very happy and relieved to have won the deciding match, after losing our first group match against Czech Republic. We were a bit nervous against the Czechs because they are a very tough side but we knew we could win the second match”, Jake Duffy (Australia)
Meanwhile, in the remaining second series of engagements in the Boys’ Team event, the outcome was as status predicted; the contest to attract the attention being the all African battle between Egypt, the no.16 seeds and Nigeria, the no.18 seeds.
The verdict went in favour of Egypt by three matches to one with Youssef Abdel-Aziz being the backbone of his team’s victory. He beat Tobi Falana (9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-7) and Rilwan Akanbi (13-11, 8-11, 11-7, 11-2). The one further success for the Egyptians was recorded by Karim Elhakem, in the second match of the fixture he beat Rilwan Akanbi (11-5, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7); for Nigeria the one win was secured courtesy of Azeez Solanke; in the third match of the engagement he defeated Omar Elhamady (11-8, 11-4, 16-18, 11-9).
Meanwhile, in the remaining two fixtures, it was a second three-nil loss for both New Zealand, the 19 seeds and South Africa, the no.20 seeds.
“I think I need to work on my service and receive because what I was expecting in this competition has exceeded my expectations; it is only the best of the best players that are taking part”, Byrone Abrahams (South Africa)
A three-nil reverse in their opening fixture against the Italian trio comprising Daniel Pinto, Matteo Mutti and Luca Bressan; it was the same for the South African outfit formed bt Byrone Abrahams, Zakeer Moosa and Keanin Pekeur when facing the Canada’s Guo Moxi, Jeremy Hazin and Alexander Bu. The Italians occupy the no.11 seeded spot; the Canadians are the no.14 seeds.
Likewise for New Zealand’s Dean Shu, Alfred Dela Pena and Victor Ma it was again tough times; they experienced a three-nil defeat when confronting the Argentine combination of Francisco Sanchi, Horacio Cifuentes and Martin Bentancor, the no.13 seeds.
“The reason for our two losses was because our level of preparation was not like other teams. We did not have enough preparation as most of the teams are more superior to us. Our opponents were also very experienced having competed in series of competitions”, Victor Ma (New Zealand)
Earlier in the day the New Zealanders had experienced defeat by the same margin when facing the United States comprising Kanak Jha, Jack Wang and Adar Alguetti, the no.12 seed.
