by Ian Marshall, Editor

On the concluding day of play, Chen Yi joined forces with Li Yuqi to emerge as the Cadet Girls’ Doubles champions, having three days earlier enjoyed Cadet Girls’ Team success with Yang Yiyun included in the line-up.

The three titles added to a most impressive list of successes on this year’s ITTF World Junior Circuit. In Italy, she was the Junior Girls’ Singles runner up, in the Czech Republic, Italy and Thailand, the Cadet Girls’ Singles winner.

In Hong Kong’s Queen Elizabeth Stadium, on the concluding day of action in the Cadet Girls’ Singles event, she ended Japanese hopes. At the semi-final stage, she beat Haruna Ojio, the no.5 seed (11-7, 11-8, 11-6), prior to securing the title at the final expense of Kaho Akae, the no.10 seed (11-6, 11-2, 11-8), a player very much in form. In the penultimate round, she had recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat Yang Yiyun, the no.2 seed (4-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-7, 11-6).

“It is the fourth time I have won this year, I am very happy. The Hong Kong crowd was very supportive. I enjoyed playing in Hong Kong throughout the whole week.” Chen Yi

Success in the Cadet Girls’ Singles event, earlier it had been Cadet Girls’ Doubles success; partnering Li Yuqi, the top seeds, in the latter stages they ended the hopes of Hong Kong.

At the final hurdle they overcame Phoebe Hui Wai and Ng Win Lam, the no.2 seeds (8-11, 13-11, 11-3, 11-3), having in the penultimate round accounted for Chelsea Chan Shiu Lam and Yenn Ho Ching, the no.4 seeds (11-6, 11-4, 11-4). In the opposite half of the draw, Phoebe Hui Wai and Ng Win Lam had beaten Japan’s Kaho Akae and Fuwa Yumoto, the no.7 seeds (11-6, 11-8, 11-5).

Play concluded in Hong Kong, the focus now turns to Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar for the 2018 Asian Junior and Cadet Championships which commence on Monday 13th August and to Central America for the El Salvador Junior and Cadet Open, scheduled to start on Wednesday 15th August.