07/21/2012        2012 Mexico Junior & Cadet Open - ITTF Junior Circuit

Currently occupying the top spot on the ITTF Junior Circuit Boys’ Standings, Hugo Calderano extended his lead by beating his nearest rival, Eric Jouti, in the final of the Junior Boys’ Singles event at the Mexico Junior and Cadet Open in Puebla on Saturday 21st July 2012; a day that proved most successful for Brazil.

Not only did two Brazilians contest the Junior Boys’ Singles final, Hugo Calderano and Eric Jouti won the Junior Boys’ Doubles title; whilst Isaac Zauli upset the formbook to secure the Cadet Boys’ Singles crown.

The only male title to elude Brazil on the final day was the Cadet Boys’ Doubles crown, won by Hong Kong’s Hung Ka Tak and Tsoi Ka Wai.

They secured the title beating the host nation’s Damien Arce and Miguel Vasquez in the final (11-5, 11-9, 11-6).

Led the Charge
However, it was Brazil’s day with Hugo Calderano leading the charge.

In the latter stages, he accounted for Peru’s Juan Luperdi in the quarter-finals (11-7, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 7-11, 11-8), before gaining revenge against compatriot, Vitor Ishiy, the no.4 seed, in the semi-finals.

Six days earlier he had been beaten by Vitor Ishiy at the same stage in the Junior Boys’ Singles event at the Latin American Junior and Cadet Championships, six days later he gained revenge but it was hard fought. He needed six games to end the hopes of his colleague (9-11, 11-1, 9-11, 8-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-4).

Third Title of Year
A place in the final booked, he faced a second Brazilian, his erstwhile colleague and doubles partner, Eric Jouti.

Again a tough contest ensued with six games deciding the outcome (11-8, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9, 10-12, 11-6) to give Hugo Calderano his third ITTF Junior Circuit Boys’ Singles title of the year; the previous two successes being in Argentina and Poland.

Eric Jouti Untroubled En Route
Defeat for Eric Jouti, the no.2 seed, in the final but in both the quarter and semi-final rounds he had been most impressive.

At the quarter-final stage he beat Ecuador’s Marlon Vite (11-8, 11-3, 11-1, 11-9) before in the penultimate round defeating Argentina’s Pablo Saragovi, the no.5 seed (11-6, 11-4, 11-9, 11-6) and a player in form.

Pablo Saragovi Upset Seeding
In the round of the last eight, Pablo Saragovi had beaten Hong Kong’s Hung Ka Tak, the no.3 seed (6-11, 12-10, 11-9, 4-11, 12-10, 13-11, 11-7).

Further Surprise Defeat
A surprise defeat for Hung Ka Tak and, in the Cadet Boys’ Singles event, there was another surprise defeat.

The top seed, he was beaten in the final by Isaac Zauli, the no.4 seed, in a tension packed full distance five games encounter (8-11, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 13-11).

Another Unexpected Win
An unexpected win by Isaac Zauli and there was another unexpected win from a Brazilian in the Cadet Boys’ Singles event; before losing to Isaac Zauli in the semi-finals (11-6, 11-6, 11-8), Gustavo Yokota, not listed among the top eight seeds, had beaten Puerto Rico’s Brian Afandor, the no.2 seed, in the quarter-finals (3-11, 11-7, 12-14, 11-9, 11-3).

At the quarter-final stage, Isaac Zauli had beaten Mexico’s Jair Jimenez (11-4, 11-4, 11-9); whilst Hung Ka Tak had overcome Ecuador’s Danny Garcia in the round of the last eight (11-5, 11-3, 11-3) and Argentina’s Fermin Tenti, the no.3 seed, in the penultimate round (11-3, 9-11, 11-9, 11-4).

Junior Boys’ Doubles
Three titles on the last day of action in Puebla with the hat-trick being secured in the Junior Boys’ Doubles event; in a contest between the top two seeded partnerships it was the no.1 seeds who prevailed.

Hugo Calderano and Eric Jouti beat Argentina’s Juan Daher and Pablo Saragovi in four games (11-9, 11-9, 8-11, 11-6), to add to the Junior Boys’ and Cadet Boys’ Singles titles; for Brazil a successful concluding day to the Puebla adventure.