9/23/2007        2007 ITTF WJC Congo Brazzaville Junior Open

Singapore dominated proceedings in the female events at the Congo Brazzaville Junior Open which concluded on Sunday 23rd September 2007 and brought the year’s programme of nineteen open international tournaments on the ITTF World Junior Circuit to a successful end.

Isabelle Li captured the Girls’ Singles crown to win her first Girls’ Singles title on the ITTF World Junior Circuit, having earlier partnered her final victim, Zena Sim, to success in the Girls’ Doubles. It was a most successful day for Singapore and a notable achievement for Isabelle Li. She is still in the cadet (under 15) age group category.

Path to Final
In the opening round Isabelle Li beat South Africa’s Stephany Martin in straight games, winning 11-4, 11-3, 11-5, 11-3 before overcoming second seed, Sweden’s Madeleine Melcher in the semis. Isabelle Li succeeded in a closely fought seven games duel to secure her place in the final.

She won 9-11, 11-8, 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-9.

Few Problems
A place in the final booked she faced her colleague, Zena Sim, the top seed.

She had experienced relatively few problems on her path to the final. In the quarters she overcame Congo Democratic’s Amma Litobka 11-5, 11-2, 11-3, 11-5 before ending the hopes of fourth seed, Sweden’s Marjan Safai by the margin of 11-7, 11-8, 11-4, 11-8.

Seven Games
However, in the final hopes of gold were dashed as once again Isabelle Li emerged victorious by recovering from a three games to one deficit to win a close seven games encounter. Isabelle Li won 15-13, 5-11, 6-11, 8-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-9.

Dominant
Success for Singapore in the Girls’ Singles and there was also in the Girls’ Doubles where Isabelle Li and Zena Sim were dominant.

They beat South Africa’s Khanyisile Madlala and Stephany Martin in the semis 11-3, 11-2, 11-3 before overcoming Sweden’s Madeleine Melcher and Marjan Safai in the final.

Final Hurdle
The latter duo had also overcome South African opposition in the semis defeating Victoria Paulus and Alisha Van Rooyen 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 but in the final they found the Singaporeans were in fine form.

At the final hurdle Isabelle Li and Zena Sim succeeded 11-7, 11-9, 11-3.

It was a golden day for Singapore.