by Calvin Koh
The 16-year-old had earlier beaten Van Hauwaert for the Under-17 Girls’ Singles title and triumphed over her compatriot again with a 3-2 (11-8, 9-11, 3-11, 11-6, 11-8) victory that stretched over five games.
“I was feeling very nervous because after my Under-17 win yesterday, people were saying I would go on to win again today. So, I felt the additional pressure there. It was a very tight contest in the final but I’m so happy I managed to win again. I’m looking forward to going home to be with my family as I miss them and want to celebrate with them,” said Devos.
Puerto Rico’s Kristal Melendez Lafontaine meanwhile denied Ecuador’s Anie Camila Rubio Rivadeneira’s hopes of a win on home soil as she defeated the 13-year-old 3-1 (11-5, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7) to clinch the Under-15 Girls’ Singles title.
“I’m really happy I got the chance to win the title. It was not easy with the high attitude conditions early in the week. But I got more comfortable as the days went by, and I’m so pleased with this victory,” said Lafontaine.
In an all-Ecuadorian Under-11 Girls’ Singles final, Karolayn Maldonado outclassed Maria Alejandra Abril 3-0 (11-6,11-3, 11-5) for her first WTT Youth Series victory.
“I knew from the beginning this event was going to be very difficult as there will be many good players competing. It was important to get a good result for my confidence, and I’m so happy I managed to do that with this week,” said Maldonado.
The week-long youth table tennis event at WTT Youth Contender Cuenca also welcomed nine worthy youth champions with Ecuador’s Diego Piguave, Jeremy Cedeno, Puerto Rico’s Steven Joel Moreno Rivera, Brazil’s Hamilton Kenzo Hato Yamane and Colombia’s Emanuel Otalvaro taking home the Under-19, Under-17, Under-15, Under-13 and Under-11 Boys’ Singles titles.
Puerto Rican Kristal Melendez Lafontaine and Guatemala’s Andrea Moscoso were winners in the Under-15 and Under-13 Girls’ Singles events.
WTT Youth Contender Cuenca was 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.
