by Ian Marshall, Editor
Somewhat as expected members of the trio ended the day unbeaten in the cadet boys’ singles first stage groups; in the counterpart junior boys’ singles competition, they did exactly the same. The one major difference being they accounted for seeded adversaries to end the day unbeaten.
Salem Alsuwailem caused the biggest upset of the day, he accounted for England’s James Smith, the no.2 seed (11-13, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8); next in the pecking order came Remi Wei-Chambet, he overcame Congo Brazzaville’s Rabby Kasota, the no.4 seed (12-10, 11-6, 8-11, 13-11).
Fine performances, it was the same from Arnav Manoj Karnavar; he caused Congo Democratic more problems, he showed no charity when facing Josue Olenga, the no.6 seed, a straight games win was the order of proceedings (11-6, 11-8, 11-1).
Defeat but for James Smith and Josue Olenga it was their only reverse of the day; thus second place and progress to the main draw is very much an option. Alas for Rabby Kasota, there is no such possibility; additionally he was beaten by Nigeria’s Azeez Solanke (11-5, 11-7, 11-4) who like Remi Wei-Chambet concluded the day without a loss against his name. Azeez Solanke and Remi Wei-Chambet now meet to determine first place.
Surprises in the group stage of the junior boys’ singles event, there was one further upset of note; Nigeria’s Emmanuel Augustine beat Congo Democratic’s Noredi Bongo, the no.4 seed (11-3, 11-8, 11-3), eventually ending the day unbeaten. Meanwhile, for Noredi Bongo, his aspirations of progress to the main draw remain alive but only just; in his one further contest of the day, he accounted for India’s Mainak Nistala but it was close, he needed the full five games (4-11, 11-7, 11-13, 11-8, 11-1) to ensure victory.
Noteworthy performances and perhaps they overshadowed the efforts of Saudi Arabia’s Khalid Alshsareif, like Congo Democratic’s Christian Mbongia, the no.7 seed; he concluded the day unbeaten, as his fifth seeded place predicted. Most significantly, he achieved the same outcome in the cadet boys’ singles competition where occupied the top seeded spot.
In addition, in the cadet boys’ singles event, Congo Democratic’s Exauce Ngefuasssa alongside Arnav Manoj Karnavar and Indian colleague Mainak Nistala enjoyed a day without defeat. A scenario that applied in the mini-cadet boys’ singles event; of those required to raise their racket in anger, it was success for Ghana’s Ibrahim Gago Nuhu alongside the Congo Democratic trio comprising Neredi Bovaji Mutshu, Eli Malola and Marc Tshilenge.
Play in the individual events continues on Thursday 4th April.
