Thursday, August 27, 2009
10:26 PM
ITTF China Junior Open - Outstanding Performance
Li Siyun Isabelle was the only Singaporean paddler to win medals at the 2009 Taiyuan Junior Open. Not 1, but 2 so far! Seeded No. 1 in both the Junior and Cadet Girls' Singles Events, Isabelle duly booked her place in the finals. However for both events, it was this final hurdle that seperated her from the Gold. Isabelle was no match against Thailand's Sawettabut Suthasini and Host Nation's Cui Chenxu in the Cadet and Junior Singles respectively.

Her route to the finals was not easy. In the cadet girls' singles event, Isabelle top her group to qualify for the Main Draw, and her 1st opponent was China's Hu Jiarong. But still, Isabelle's solid defensive skills prove to be stronger than her opponents. Her journey in the Junior Girls' event is even more exciting. She defeated players from table tennis powerhouse like Hong Kong before enrouting to the Semi Finals, where she had a hard fought 7 games duel with Batra Monika from India. Her victory has definitely proven that Singapore is on the right track in developing local talents and fans will long to see Isabelle Li donning National Colours in the Olympic Games in the near future.

Another 2 players that have showed great performance are Asian Youth Games Bronze Medalists Chew Zhe Yu Clarence and Tay Jit Kai. Both of them are the Youth Olympic hopefuls and both of them are left handed players. They managed to reach the Quarter Finals of the Cadet Boys' Singles Event, missing out the medal by just an inch.

Playing in their 1st international tournament, Ban Hoe Han Benjamin and Leong Yau Yeak Aldrea did well to progress into the Main Draw of the Junior Boys' and Girls' Singles Event. However, both fell to China players in the 1st round. Benjamin was no match against Wang Xingyu while Aldrea was defeated by Cui Chenxu, the lady whom denied Isabelle of the Girls' Singles Crown!

Singapore sent a huge contingent to the China Open this time, hoping to expose our junior paddlers to more competition. Many were participating in their 1st overseas competition. Although most of them failed to progress further, it is a good learning experience for our youths and a huge step in developing local youths.




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