by Ian Marshall, Editor

The 15 year old accounted for Nigeria’s Emmanuel Augustine (11-2, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8) and Peru’s Jhon Loli (11-2, 11-8, 9-11, 11-6, 11-8) to end the day the one unbeaten player from India in the group stage of the boys’ singles event.

Colleagues Anukram Jain, Deepit Patil and Raegan Alburquerque all experienced defeats, he now faces Belgium’s Adrien Rassenfosse to determine first place in the group.

A measure

Thoughts of a medal are somewhat distant, the tournament is a test, the contest against Adrien Rassenfosse is a measure to determine the progress of the 15 year old. Notably, in the first week of September he impressed at the Asian Junior and Cadet Championships in Ulaanbaator. In illustrious company he reached the final of the cadet boys’ singles event, losing to China’s Chen Yuanyu.

Notably Payas Jain played Adrien Rassenfosse some three years ago at the 2019 Belgium Junior and Cadet Open; he lost in four games. Much water has flowed under the bridge since those times, Payas Jain and the one year older Adrien Rassenfosse are both at ages when improvement can be made at a quite rapid rate.

Diya Parag Chitale

Likewise, in the group stage of the junior girls’ singles event, colleague Diya Parag Chitale impressed, she accounted for Hong Kong’s Ng Wing Lam (7-11, 11-9, 11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 11-7), prior to accounting for Nigeria’s Sukurat Aiyelbegan (11-6, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8).

She now faces exactly the same scenario as Payas Jain. She opposes the highest rated player in the group and a player of a similar age to determine first place and progress to the main draw. She confronts Rachel Sung of the United States; Diya Parag Chitale is 16 years of age, Rachel Sung is one year younger.

Places in the main draw for India; hard fought contests await but one place is assured, Swastika Ghosh is the no.5 seed and received a direct entry.