by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer

Youssef Abdel-Aziz beat Liberia’s Jeremiah Sarkpah (11-3, 11-7, 11-3) to secure first place in his group; similarly Youssef Ben Attia accounted for Burundi’s Adour Razak Derra (11-3, 11-7, 11-6) to seal top spot.

Impressive performances, it was the same from Marwa Alhodaby, who overcame Burundi’s Mamounata Derra to reserve first place (11-3, 11-2, 11-5), as it was from Loubna Djedjik. She defeated Morocco’s Diana Noha Arangay to claim the highest step (13-11, 11-9, 11-2).

Eight groups in the opening stage, in the Men’s Singles event, there were also top spots for Algeria’s Abdelbasset Chaichi, Mario Lablache from the Seychelles and Botswana’s Phetso Jack. Similarly Ethiopia’s Elias Yikalu Salih, Libya’s Habeb Alajaebi and Nigeria’s Azeez Amole headed their respective groups.

Somewhat similarly in the Women’s Singles competition, where there were seven groups in the first phase, in addition to Marwa Alhodaby and Loubna Djedjik, there were first positions for Tunisia’s Manel Baklouti, Nandeshwaree Lilowtee Jalim and the Ivory Coast’s Aniouvi Bertine Rebecca Houngue, as well as for Nigeria’s Esther Tosin Oribamise and Madagascar’s Ruth Nkunda Nkatu.

In both competitions, players finishing in first and second positions in each group progress to play for places no.1 to no.16. Four players in each group, those finishing in first and second positions advance to the quarter-finals; third placed players compete for positions no.9 to no.12, whilst those in fourth places contest positions no.13 to no.16.

Meanwhile, those players who ended the opening day in third places in the initial stage groups compete for positions no.17 to no.24.

The second stage matches will be held on Friday 20th July with matters played to a conclusion one day later.

2018 African Youth Games: Men’s Singles – Results First Stage Groups (Thursday 19th July)

2018 African Youth Games: Men’s Singles – Second Stage Groups for Positions 1-16 (Friday 20th July)

2018 African Youth Games: Women’s Singles – Results First Stage Groups (Thursday 19th July)

2018 African Youth Games: Women’s Singles – Second Stage Groups for Positions 1 -16 (Friday 20th July)