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June 9, 2010

2010 Chengdu Junior & Cadet Open: Top Seeds Tested on Day when Host Nation Underlined Depth of Talent

Yuki Hirano recorded a vital win over Su Zhizhong to steer Japan `A' to victory over China `A' Photo By: ITTF Asia / Pacific Office

Courtesy of ITTF Represented by Masaki Yoshida, Asuka Machi and Yuki Hirano; Japan `A’, the top seeds in the Boys’ Team event at the Chengdu Junior and Cadet Open, emerged in to place in their group at the conclusion of the first day of action, Wednesday 9th June 2010, in the southern city but they were severely tested. On a day when the host nation displayed its depth of talent, China `A’ extended the number one seeds the full five match distance. The man to cause the problems was Liu Yongshuai, he beat both Masaki Yoshida and Asuka Machi but wins for both Japanese teenagers against Liang Yonghui and a five games victory for Yuki Hirano in opposition to Su Zhizhong saw the Japanese trio home.

Seeds Stumble
However, in the remaining groups in the Boys’ team event, the second and third seeded teams both failed to secure first place in their respective groups.

Chinese Taipei with Fu En-Ti, Hung Tzu-Hsiang and Wang Li Chung-Yi on duty had to settle for second place in their group behind the unbeaten China `D’ Team of Zhou Kai, Tao Wenzheng and Zhang Cheng.

Three Continents
China `B’ with Chen Yifeng, Zhang Yuntao and Li Hao in action secured third place in the group ahead of the trio comprising Egypt’s Omar Bedair, New Zealand’s Kevin Wu and Zhang Yahao from the United States of America.

I wonder, is that the first time a team has appeared in an event on the ITTF Junior Circuit with three continents being represented?

Same for Japanese
Second place for Chinese Taipei in their group and it was the same for Japan `B’, the no.3 seeds.

Yuto Matsumoto, Masataka Morizono and Asuka Sakai suffered a three-one defeat at the hands of the China `C’ outfit comprising Zheng Peifeng, Tan Shengpeng and Liu Chang to finish the group in runners up spot.

Asian Strength Underlined
Both teams defeated the Slovak Republic outfit of Jakub Figel, Samuel Novota and David Karas.

The result once again underlines the strength of Asian table tennis; Samuel Novota has three ITTF Junior Circuit Boys’ Singles titles to his credit. In 2009 he won in Guatemala and Chile while earlier this year he succeeded in Italy.

Settle for Second Place
Problems for seeds in the Junior Boys’ Team competition and there were also problems for the seeds in the Cadet Boys’ Team event.

Top seeds Japan `A’ (Yuto Higashi, Naoki Matsuda, Masahiro Otsuka) had to settle for second place in their group behind China `C’ (Lu Xiang, Lai Jiaxin, Qiu Xiaolong) while third place was the eventual lot of third seeds Hong Kong `A’ (Hung Wah Tak, Daryl Hung).

They suffered against eventual group winners China`D’ (Kong Lingxuan, Cai Wei, Xu Chenhao) and Korea `B’ (Lik Jonghoon, Kim Minho, Kim Min Hyeok).

Good News for Korea
Second place for Korea `B’ but better news for Korea `A’ (Kim Seokho, park Chan Hyeok, Jang Woo Jin); seeded no.2, they finished their group in first place as did China `A’, the no.4 seeds.

Thorough Examination
However, life was not comfortable for the host nation outfit against Hong Kong `B’ with Shi Tao proving the backbone of success and Hu Tao, the hero.

Shi Tao beat both Hung Chun-Hin and Li Hon Ming with Hu Tao securing victory by the narrowest of five game margins in the decisive duel. He overcame Hung Chun-Hin having in the opening contest experienced defeat against Li Hon Ming.

The one further win for Hong Kong came in the doubles with Li Hon Ming and Hung Chun-Hin recording a close five games victory over Wang Jing and Shi Tao.