by Ian Marshall, Editor
The 17 year old finished in second position in his group. He was beaten by Portugal’s David Bessa (4-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-7) who remained unbeaten to secure top place. Runners up spot meant progress to the first round, it was there he excelled, he beat Germany’s Kay Stumper, the no.2 seed, in five games (11-5, 11-9, 11-4, 9-11, 11-6);
A major upset; it rather overshadowed the efforts of Zou Shang-Cheng, 16 years old, no world ranking and thus the lowest listed player in his group. He remained unbeaten. Similarly, Wang Guan-Ru finished his group in first place as, likewise against the odds did Felix Wetzel and Jonatan McDonald; all three started the day the second highest ranked in their respective groups.
Places in the first round reserved, Zou Shang-Cheng beat Switzerland’s Mauro Scharrer (11-7, 11-9, 4-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-9), Wang Guan-Ru accounted for Italy’s Marco Cappucio (9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-9, 11-2). In a similar vein, Jonatan McDonald overcame Turkey’s Turgay Yilmaz (10-12, 11-9, 10-12, 11-5, 11-8, 11-2), Felix Wetzel prevailed in opposition to Slovakia’s Samuel Feco (8-11, 11-4, 9-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-6).
Unexpected progress and there was more as seeds fell in the opening round. In addition to Kay Stumper, Uladzislau Rukliatsou, the no.7 seed, was beaten by Switzerland’s Elias Hardmeier (11-6, 12-14, 13-15, 11-7, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9); conversely, the latter’s colleague, Pedro Osiro, the no.12 seed, suffered at the hands of Italy’s Tommaso Giovanneti (9-11, 11-8, 3-11, 15-13, 13-11, 8-11, 11-5).
Likewise, the host nation’s Maciej Kubik, the no.13 seed, experienced defeat when facing Hungary’s Erik Huzsvar (11-8, 10-12, 13-11, 11-9, 9-11, 11-9); success against the odds for one Hungarian, for another it was defeat, Patrick Juhasz, the no.16 seed, lost to Germany’s Dominik Jonack.
Opening round surprises but not where the top name was concerned; the host nation’s Samuel Kulczycki beat Chinese Taipei’s Chuang Chia-Chuan (11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 11-5, 11-4) to reserve his second round place.
Similarly, the French duo of Lilian Bardet and Vincent Picard safely negotiated the opening hurdle.
Lilian Bardet beat Turkey’s Bilal Selim Tok (11-9, 11-5, 11-8, 11-7), Vincent Picard overcame the host nation’s Lukasz Sokolowski (11-6, 7-11, 11-6, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5).
Play in the junior boys’ singles and event concludes on Thursday 23rd May.
