by Ian Marshall, Editor
Ning Jing underlined the reasons why she has won the Junior Girls’ Singles title at the two most recent editions of the prestigious European Youth Championships.
On the third day of play in Buenos Aires, in the Women’s Singles event, the no.18 seed, she had experienced defeat at the hands of India’s Archana Girish Kamath, the no.6 seed; she had suffered in seven games (13-11, 8-11, 6-11, 11-3, 6-11, 12-10, 11-7).
Three days later in the opening fixture in the Mixed Team competition, it was a very different story. She beat Archana Girish Kamath in three straight games (11-8, 11-6, 11-4); not only did she gain revenge but she motivated colleague Yu Khinhang. Third place in his group in the Men’s Singles event and thus no progress to the main draw, he accounted for Manav Vikash Thakkar (8-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-13, 11-8) to break Indian hearts. Now full of confidence, the Azerbaijan duo recorded a straight games win to end matters (13-11, 11-9, 11-6).
A major upset, as the first session of play concluded on the sixth day of proceedings in the Argentine capital city; in the remaining contests it was success for the favourites, the leading outfits in particular imposing their will.
Notably, China’s Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, the no.4 seeds, recorded a three-nil win against Germany’s Cédric Meissner and Franziska Schreiner, the no.19 seeds; likewise, Kanak Jha and Amy Wang of the United States, the no.5 seeds, posted the same margin of victory when facing the Oceania combination of Australia’s Ben Gould and Fiji’s Grace Rosi Yee.
Play continues in the Mixed Team event throughout the day.
