Resigned to the bench in the earlier Boys’ Team event at Wisdom 2014 World Junior Championships, Hong Kong’s Kwan Man Ho was very much the player to attract the attention, as matters commenced in the second stage of exchanges in the first phase of the Boys’ Singles event on the afternoon of Thursday 4^th December.

He accounted for the Czech Republic’s David Reitspies in six games (11-5, 13-11, 12-10, 8-11, 7-11, 12-10).

Currently on the Under 18 Boys’ World Rankings David Reitspies, who competed in the Nanjing 2014 Youth Olympic Games, is listed at no.32; conversely Kwan Man Ho is at no.130.

First Meeting

“It’s the first time that I’d played him”, said Kwan Man Ho. “I received service well, especially using the top spin return from my backhand; overall my service was good and my receive was good.”

Kwan Man Ho, slim in build, is a talented left hand with noticeable good hand skills.

“One of the reasons I won was that I was strong with my attacking player after the service”, added Kwan Man Ho. “It was important that I tried to stay close to the table and attack quickly.”

The first three games surrendered, David Reitspies responded to capture the next two.

“At three-nil ahead he made changes, I became a little afraid”, added Kwan Man Ho. “I think he was more relaxed; however, I was able to adapt.”

Impressive

Good form from Kwan Man Ho but arguably the most impressive performance of the second series of matches came from Hungary’s Bence Majoros.

He overcame Croatia’s Filip Zeljko in five games (9-11, 15-13, 11-9, 15-13, 11-9).

“It’s the first time that I’ve played him, he’s strong from both backhand and forehand”, said Bence Majoros. “He is higher ranked than me, he won the recent Europe Top 10; for me it was enjoy the match and see what happens.”

Bence Majoros enjoyed the match and the outcome was most favourable from his point of view.

Key Games

“It was important to receive service well and to be strong with the first attack”, added Bence Majoros. “Winning the second and fourth games, both 15-13, swayed the match in my favour; those were the key games.”

Frenchman in Form

Good form from Kwan Man Ho and Bence Majoros; it was the same from Nolan Givone of France. Against expectations, he accounted for Germany’s Kilian Ort by the very narrowest of margins in a seven games thriller (4-11, 2-11, 11-9, 10-12, 17-15, 11-9, 11-9).

Kilian Ort is currently named at no.31 on the Under 18 Boys’ World Rankings, Nolan Givone is at no.89.

Surprises with Kilian Ort, the fifth highest World ranked player on duty in the first stage of the Boys’ Singles event suffering defeat.

Top Four Secure First Places

However, for the top four names there were no such heartaches.

Poland’s Patryk Zatowka, China’s Wang Chuqin, Thailand’s Padasak Tanviriyavechakul and Frenchman Alexandre Cassin, all comoletec their first stage matches unbeaten and in first places in their respective groups.

Article by: ITTF - Ian Marshall
Photo By: Rémy Gros