Wednesday, August 5, 2009
10:09 AM
ITTF Hong Kong Junior Open - Singaporean Teams Progress
The 1st ITTF Global Junior Circuit that is held in Hong Kong attracted a total of 86 youth paddlers all over the world. Our Singaporean Team is represented by Pang Xue Jie and Asian Youth Games Bronze Medalists Chew Zhe Yu Clarence, Tay Jit Kai and Li Siyun Isabelle. Matters start today with Junior Boys’ and Junior Girls’ Team events.

Our Boys' Team is drawn into Group D, together with 4th Seeds, Hong Kong A, USA and Chinese Taipei B. They put up a very impressive performance on day 1, clinching the overall 2nd position in the group to progress into the Main Draw. The team got off to a rocky start in their opening game against Chinese Taipei B, when Tay Jit Kai lost his 1st Single Match against Hsu Chia-Liang. However, that was the only point that the opponent could get from the boys. Pang Xue Jie and Clarence won the next 3 matches to secure victory for the team.

In ther 2nd game against the higher ranked Hong Kong A, they faltered 3-0. Not to be despaired, Pang and company came back in their last group match to thrash USA 3-1. The only point lost was by Clarence in the 2nd match. The team score a total of 5 points, and has qualified for the Main Draw tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Isabelle had to team up with players from other countries in order to participate in the Junior Girls' Team event as she is the only female representative from our Singaporean camp. Her other 3 teammates are Sawettabut Suthasini, Meshref Dina and Lee Michelle from various countries. Similarly, the team did well, obtaining te 2nd position in their group. Isabelle lost her 1st match against Japanese Tanioka Ayuka, indirectly causing the team to lose 3-0. Perhaps that was because it was the 1st game they played as a team. In their 2nd game, none of the players lost a single match. Isabelle showed no mercy to her Hong Kong opponent, beating her in straight games, thus assisting her team into the Main Draw tomorrow.

Commencing tomorrow are the Singles Event, where 6th Seed Pang Xue Jie is drawn into group F with China's Feng Ji, Hong Kong's Tang Hoi Yen and Japan's Muramatsu Yuto. Tay Jit Kai will be facing 7th Seed, host nation's Chiu Chung Hei, Japan's Otsuka Masahiro and USA's Yao Alexander Shin. Clarence will have a tough time taking on Portugal's Aguirre Marcelo, Lam Siu Hang from the host nation and Hung Tzu-Hsiang from Chinese Taipei. Isabelle Li is the 8th Seed in her event. In her group, she will have to defeat 2 players from Hong Kong, Ng Wing Kei and Chan Suet Ying, and Japanese Sato Yui.




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