by Ian Marshall, Editor

The top seed, Amy Wang of the United States, very much set the standard; she accounted for Malamatenia Papadimitriou of Greece, in four straight games (11-4, 11-8, 11-2, 11-9). It was very much the same scenario for the Czech Republic’s Zdena Blaskova, the no.2 seed, she surrendered just one game in her contest against England’s Denise Payet (12-10, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7).

Impressive form, likewise, Italy’s Jamila Laurenti, the no.3 seed, beat Tiffany Ke, like Amy Wang from the United States (11-9, 11-6, 15-13, 11-5); in an equally imposing manner, the host nation’s Prithika Pavade, the no.4 seed, caused England more pain by overcoming Mollie Patterson (11-4, 11-9, 11-4, 11-5).

Similarly, Japan’s Kaho Akae, the no.5 seed and Haruna Ojio, the no.6 seed, advanced without alarm, as did Germany’s Franziska Schreiner, the next name in the order of merit. However, for India’s Swastika Ghosh, the no.8 seed, life was more exacting. She needed six games to overcome Croatia’s 14 year old, Hana Arapovic (11-7, 11-9, 11-13, 9-11, 15-13).

Noteworthy efforts but the performance of the day belonged to the host nation’s Julie Pennec. The 16 year old remained unbeaten in her initial stage matches, notably overcoming Denise Payet, the highest rated player in the group (11-7, 11-7, 11-9). A place in the second round secured, she accounted for Romania’s Irina Rus (11-8, 11-5, 11-6, 12-10) to end the day on a high note.

Success for the leading names in their opening matches in the junior girls’ singles, it was the same in the junior girls’ doubles. Amy Wang in harness with colleague, Crystal Wang, the top seeds best England’s Mari Baldwin and Lydia John of Wales (11-4, 11-6, 11-8); Zdena Blaskova and Franziska Schreiner accounted for Ukraine’s Vasylysa Kanunnikova and Iolanta Yevtodi (11-5, 11-3, 11-5).

Play in the individual events continues to a conclusion on Thursday 11th April.

Photographs

French Junior & Cadet Open: Photo Gallery