by Ian Marshall, Editor
One year ago at the final hurdle, he beat Meng Fanbo in a full distance contest (4-11, 11-2, 9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 13-15, 11-5), this year he overcame another German to seal the title but without the need for a seventh game. He accounted for Kay Stumper, the no.3 seed, in five games (11-5, 12-10, 11-9, 11-13, 11-4).
“I played more consistently. He had to take risks. I’m satisfied with my play.” Truls Moregard.
Impressively, in the later rounds, Truls Moregard had overcome qualifiers, Singapore’s Isaac Quek Yong (11-4, 11-3, 6-11, 11-2, 11-9) and Japan’s 11 year old Sora Matsushima (11-7, 6-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-7) to reserve his place in the final.
Now the question posed is as to whether Truls Moregard can make it three in a row, he has one more year remaining in the junior age group and he may have a good omen; he shares the same birthday as a certain Zhang Jike.
Certainly the 17 year old impressed Per Hällström, the press officer for the tournament.
“Truls Moregard has improved a great deal since last year. I can point out a lot of things, serves, receives, physical strength. He has always been mentally strong in the end of a match.” Per Hällström
Meanwhile, in the opposite half of the draw, in the later rounds Kay Stumper beat Irish qualifier Owen Cathcart (10-12, 11-9, 11-9, 11-3, 11-8) and Nikhil Kumar of the United States, the no.7 seed (6-11, 11-9, 11-3, 11-6, 11-7) to reach the title decider. Notably one round earlier, Nikhil Kumar had ended the journey of Russia’s Semen Shevnin (16-14, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7), the player who the previous day, had accounted for Singapore’s Pang Yew En Koen, the no.2 seed (11-8, 8-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4).
Disappointment for Pang Yew En Koen but there was success; partnering Ben Kun Ting, he won the junior boys’ doubles title; in all Singaporean final, they beat Josh Shao Han Chua and Gerald Yu Zang Jun (11-6, 4-11, 9-11, 11-6).
