Courtesy of ITTF

May 12, 2014 – Represented by Angela Guan and Prachi Jha, the United States ‘A’ won the Junior Girls’ Team title at the Butterfly 2015 Canadian Junior and Cadet Open in Markham on Tuesday May 12th.

At the final hurdle they accounted for their compatriots, the United States ‘B’ Team duo comprising Crystal Wang and Amy Wang, having earlier in the day ended the hopes of the host nation by overcoming the Canada ‘A’ Team partnership of Alicia Cote and Amy Nicholls.

Alicia Cote
A three-one success was the order of proceedings at the semi-final stage; the one reverse being the defeat suffered by Prachi Jha in the second match of the fixture in opposition to Alicia Cote, a close full distance verdict being the outcome (11-9, 11-4, 5-11, 5-11, 11-9).

Defeat in her opening contest but not in the next. After partnering Angela Guan to doubles success (11-6, 11-4, 11-5), Prachi Jha accounted for Amy Nicholls to end matters (11-7, 11-7, 11-6). The one further success for the champions elect came from Angela Guan in the opening match of the fixture; she overcame Amy Nicholls in three straight games (11-8, 11-8, 11-6).

Final
Success in the penultimate round was followed by success in the final; a three-nil victory margin being the end result.

Prachi Jha beat Crystal Wang by the very narrowest of five games margins (11-9, 6-11, 7-11, 11-4, 17-15), before rather more comfortably Angela Guan accounted for Amy Wang (11-6, 11-8, 11-7). A doubles success, won in five games, concluded matters (11-9, 9-11, 9-11, 11-6).

Question of Attitude
“Today I was rather up and down; against Crystal Wang I led 10-6 in the fifth game, I was too passive, when I was leading my attitude changed”, said Prachi Jha. “I was playing are against opponents of a good level, towards the end of the match I became less competitive; overall I think my service and receive helped me the most to beat Crystal.”

Defense Secure
Problems for Prachi Jha, less so for Angela Guan whose defensive skills proved too secure.

“Most players are not used to my style of play so at the beginning of a match that gives me an advantage”, said Angela Guan. “However, as a match progresses they become used to my play, then it’s important I adapt, attack more to vary the play.”

At the recent Qoros 2015 World Championships, Angela Guan impressed; it was the same in Markham.

Footwork
“I think today my footwork was good and I was patient; that’s important for a defender”, added Angela Guan. “We have a good spirit and we are older that Amy and Crystal; in the doubles we were able to change the pace of the game, they played fast and I was able to return the ball low of the net with backspin to gain an advantage.”

Impressive Win
Defeat in the final for Amy Wang and Crystal Wang; not in the semi-final where it had been an impressive performance.

They beat the Canada ‘B’ Team duo of Justina Yeung and Liu Jiabao by three matches till.

Play in the Junior Girls’ Team event over, the Junior Girls’ Singles event starts on Wednesday May 13th.