by Calvin Koh

Devos lived up to her billing as the highest-ranked player in the Under-17 Girls’ Singles competition, emerging top of her class following a convincing 3-0 (14-12, 11-3, 11-8) victory over compatriot Julie Van Hauwaert in the final.

 “In the beginning, I wasn´t sure how this tournament would turn out to be. The first day was very hard to get used to, but as the matches went on, I played better, and I’m very happy to have won today,” said the 16-year-old.

On her way to the final, the young Belgian topped her group standing with identical 3-0 wins over Ecuador’s Fiorella Olaya and Peru’s Andrea Lucciana Retamozo Poemape. She continued to dash the local hopes by eliminating Keimy Anchundia Leon and Angelica Arellano in the quarter-final and semi-final before completing her winning run against Van Hauwaert in the final.

12-year-old Moscoso showed that she’s another star in the making as she propelled her way to a grandstand finish starting with straight game wins over Peru’s Maite Fernanda Retamozo Poemape and Ecuador’s Belen Pacheco and Alejandra Abril Maria in her group matches.

She continued her winning ways with quarter-final and semi-final victories over Ecuador’s Anie Camila Rubio Rivadeneira and Colombia’s Valentina Rodriguez before overcoming Belen Pacheco of Ecuador 3-0 (11-6, 11-4, 11-8) in the final.

“I feel very happy as I was still feeling very nervous, especially in the last two matches. All my opponents today are very good players. It’s now time to celebrate with my friends, coach and also my family when I return home,” said Moscoso.

The final day of action of WTT Youth Contender Cuenca will see the finals of the Under-11, Under-15 and Under-19 Girls’ Singles competition being contested.

WTT Youth Contender Cuenca is the first-ever WTT Youth Series event to be staged in Pan America. It provides aspiring youths with the opportunity to embark on their table tennis careers.

For more information on WTT Youth Contender Cuenca, click here.