Sunday, July 26, 2009
5:11 AM
ASIAN Junior Championships - Xue Jie, Jie Yan & Isabelle in Promising Positions
Singapore will not return home empty handed after Pang Xue Jie and Lim Jie Yan beat 2nd Seeds Japan's Niwa Koki/Ueda Jin in the Quarter Finals. Along the way, Xue Jie/Jie Yan defeated players from Maldives and Iran. It was an exciting 7 games triller against the Japanese. The Singaporeans got off to a good start by clinching the 1st set 11-8. However, they begin to make some unforced error in the 2nd set, losing 11-9. The pair came back to take the 3rd game, 11-6. But the Japanese showed sheer determination to level the score at 2-all. Pang and Lim kept their cool to take the last set, winning 12-10. The pair will be taking on South Koreans today. The winner will at least walk away with a Silver Medal.

Another Singaporean pair, Chong Hur Ying Darren/Teo Yi De Benjamin fell against the Iran. They lost in straight games.

Meanwhile, our paddlers failed to progress in the other 5 events. In the Junior Boys' Singles event, only Pang Xue Jie manages to qualify for the Main Draw after defeating 3 other opponent to appear top in his group. However, his progress is hindered by South Korean, Jung Young Sik. He lost 4-1. The other paddlers who perished in the group stage are Lim Jie Yan, Teo Yi De Benjamin and Chong Hur Ying Darren.

In the Junior Girls Event, none of them made it to the Main Draw. Wong Xiwen Samantha fell short against Che Xiao Xi from China, missing the qualification by 1 place. Kwa Hui Qi is another victim by Chinese Sheng Dandan. She is ranked 3rd in the group. Look Pei Yee Sylvia and Chng Rui Min are ranked 3rd in the group as well. Sylvia faltered against table tennis powerhouse South and North Korea.

In the Cadet Boys' Event, Tan Kiat Yi Kerry, Chew Zhe Yu Clarence and Chau Jia Liang missed the qualification to stronger opponents. Kerry was no match against Hong Kong's Chiu Chung Hei while Jia Liang was defeated by Lam Siu Hang, also from Hong Kong. The 10th Seed, Clarence suffered under a Thailand native to appear 2nd in the group.

The Cadet Girls' Event is another event that our paddlers manage to qualify for the Main Draw. Li Siyun Isabelle played her game which much patience, defeating players from India, Thailand and Nepal. She will be taking on India's Bhandarkar Mallika Srirang, someone whom she defeated during the Asian Youth Games.

Our Junior Girls failed to perform in the Girls' Doubles Event as well. Despite defeating Hong Kong's Ng Wing Nam/Mo Hei Shim in the 2nd round of the Main Draw, Li Siyun Isabelle/Look Pei Yee Sylvia lost to Top Seeds, Chinese Taipei's Cheng I-Ching/Chen Szu Yu in the Quarter Finals, missing out the medal. Kwa Hui Qi/Chng Hui Min fell against the mighty Chinese in the 2nd round after notching a win from the host nation. They lost to Cao Lisi/Sheng Dandan in straight games.

Pang Xue Jie/Lim Jie Yan and Isabelle Li are our only medal hopes felt in the competition.




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