by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Furthermore, for Manav Vikash Thakkar there was an air of revenge.

In the final of the Junior Boys’ Singles event, he had been beaten by Sharon Alguetti of the United States in a closely fought seven games contest (11-7, 12-10, 6-11, 14-12, 8-11, 8-11, 11-7); in the title deciding fixture in the Junior Boys’ Team competition, Manav Vikash Thakkar accounted for Sharon Alguetti in three straight games (17-15, 11-8, 12-10) to avenge his earlier defeat.

The win set the Indian outfit on the road to victory. Manush Utpalbhai Shah recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat Gal Alguetti, before Jeremy Hazin gave the North Americans hope by accounting for Ishaan Hingorani (11-4, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7).

However, the hope was short lived; Manav Vikash Thakkar returned to the fray, he beat Gal Alguetti in three straight games to bring matters to a conclusion (11-5, 11-5, 11-7).

An impressive performance from the Indian trio; likewise at the semi-final stage it had been very similar, as it had been the efforts of the beaten finalists.

In the penultimate round Manav Vikash Thakkar, Manush Utpalbhai Shah and Ishaan Hingorani had recorded a three matches to nil success against the outfit comprising Romania’s Paul Mladin, Ireland’s Owen Cathcart and Sweden’s Meiker Nilsson. Likewise Gal Alguetti, Sharon Alguetti and Jeremy Hazin had enjoyed the same margin of victory when opposing Portugal’s Vitor Amorin, José Pedro Francisco and Samuel da Silva.

One day remains in Belgrade; the Cadet Boys’ Singles, Cadet Girls’ Singles, Cadet Boys’ Doubles and Cadet Girls’ Doubles events conclude proceedings.