by Ian Marshall
At the semi-final stage Enzo Angles staved off a spirited recovery by the host nation’s Benedek Olah to emerge successful by the very narrowest of margins (11-4, 11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 7-11, 9-11, 12-10).
Dramatic but not when compared with the final.
Facing Portugal’s João Geraldo, Enzo Angles lost the first three games, before winning the next three each by the minimal two point margin.
A deciding seventh game needed, it appeared the recovery was in vain; he trailed 3-10, saved nine match points before at the first attempt securing victory (11-4, 11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 7-11, 9-11, 12-10).
Bronze for Benedek Olah
Gold for Enzo Angles, silver for João Geraldo, it was bronze for Benedek Olah.
In the third place contest he accounted for promising young colleague, Alex Naumi (11-2, 11-5, 8-11, 11-2), the player João Geraldo had beaten to reserve his place in the final (11-13, 6-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-8, 11-9).
Lesser extent
Stressful moments, to a lesser extent there were tense times in the women’s singles event.
After accounting for Ukraine’s Solomiya Brateyko (11-8, 11-8, 11-7, 11-9), Men Shuohan secured the title at the expense of Russia’s Valeria Kotcyur (11-5, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7), the semi-final winner in opposition to colleague Yana Noskova (11-5, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7).
Solomiya Brateyko accounted for Yana Noskova (9-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-8) to secure third place.
Popularity
Ever popular, organised on the progressive knock-out basis, 153 players from 29 countries participated, the Kisakallio Sports Institute providing excellent facilities.
In the under 21 age group, Iran’s Amin Ahmadian and Leili Mostafavi of France emerged the respective men’s and women’s singles winners.
