Unexpected defeat but third seeds clinch top place

(by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor)
Unexpected defeat but third seeds clinch top place
Four groups the first phase of the Junior Boys’ Team event at the Hang Seng 2017 Hong Kong Junior and Cadet Open, at the close of play on the first day of action, Wednesday 2nd August, the top four seeded outfits had all secured first places.

However, it was not a day without defeat; the United States duo comprising Michael Tran and Nikhil Kumar endured some trying times.

The no.3 seeds, they opened proceedings with a three-nil win in opposition to the Chinese Taipei ‘A’ Team pairing of Hsu Po-Hsuan and Peng Chih but in their second fixture of the day, it was a very different story.

A three matches to two defeat was experienced at the hands of the Hong Kong ‘C’ combination of Baldwin Chan Ho Wah and Chan Yee Shun.

Star of the show for Hong Kong was Baldwin Chan Ho Wah; he accounted for Nikhil Kumar (10-12, 14-12, 11-6, 11-8) and Michael Tran (12-10, 9-11, 11-5, 13-11), whilst also partnering Chan Yee Shun to doubles success (14-12, 8-11, 11-8, 12-10).

Success against the odds for Hong Kong ‘C’; alas for the hosts, on their second visit to the table it was defeat. A three-one reverse was experienced at the hands of the Chinese Taipei ‘A’ combination formed by Lin Yen-Chun and Peng Chih.

Mainstay of the victory was Peng Chih; he beat both Baldwin Chan Ho Wah (11-7, 11-4, 11-7) and by the very narrowest of margins Chan Yee Sun (11-7, 7-11, 10-12, 11-8, 13-11). Meanwhile, sandwiched in between he partnered Lin Yen-Chun to a vital doubles success. A doubles success but it was mightily close; the contest was decided by the minimal two point difference in the fifth game (13-11, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9).

Thus, the final positions were determined on match ratio. It was first place for the United States (5:3), followed by Hong Kong ‘C’ (4:5) and Chinese Taipei ‘A’ (3:4).

Nervous moments for the United States, for the three remaining leading outfits, it was first place in the group.

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