Success came the way of the top three seeds at the quarter-final stage of the Boys’ Singles event at the 2013 ITTF Junior Circuit Finals in Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal on the evening of Saturday 25th January but it was defeated for the fourth seed.

The player to rise to the occasion was Hong Kong’s Hung Ka Tak, the sixth seed; he beat Chinese Taipei’s Yang Heng-Wei (11-5, 11-9, 11-6, 12-10) to reserve his place in the penultimate round.

A surprise but not in the other three last eight contests where precedence ruled.

Leading Names Prevail
Brazil’s Hugo Calderano, the top seed recovered from a two games to nil deficit to beat Hong Kong’s Lam Siu Hang (8-11,6-11,11-9,11-5,11-5,11-5); whilst Korea’s Kim Minhyeok, the third seed, ended the hopes of the Czech Republic’s David Reitspies, the eighth seed.

Liao Cheng-Ting, the second seed, brought the day to a conclusion; he recorded a very impressive win over Canada’s Chen Hongtao, the seventh seed (11-9), 11-5, 17-15, 11-8).

Changed Tactics
It was Hugo Calderano who set the tone for the evening.

“Lam Siu Hang played very fast, at the start of the game his speed caused me problems”, said the Brazilian. “I had to change the tactics, I had to slow the game down somewhat and play with heavy topspin strokes.”

Very much Hugo Calderano is in the spotlight; the Boys’ Singles title at the ITTF Junior Circuit Finals has always been won by a player from Asia, in Vila Nova de Gaia, Hugo Calderano is the top seed, he is a young man under a certain degree of pressure.

Potentially Difficult Group
“I try not to think about being the top seed”, smiled Hugo Calderano. “I’m trying to focus on the matches only and I feel I’m playing well; when I saw the group in which I was drawn I thought it was tough, so I’m pleased I came through.”

Not only did the Brazilian finish in first place in the group; he finished in top place in style. He surrendered just one game; that being to Canada’s Chen Hongtao whom he overcame in five games. He beat both Portugal’s Diogo Chen and Australia’s Ivan Sulfaro in four straight games.

Outstanding Form
Defeat for Hong Kong was immediately followed by success for Hong Kong with 16 year old Hung Ka Tak in blistering form; the four-nil win posted against Yang Heng-Wei was most impressive.

“I’ve played him several times before and the first three or four times I played him I won but the last twice I have lost”, said Hung Ka Tak, whose speed had been a telling factor in the victory.

“Whenever possible I tried to play my first attack with my forehand”, added Hung Ka Tak. “Also my coach told me to be patient; I felt I could win the rallies.”

Hung Ka Tak did win the rallies, he was the quicker to attack and the fact he followed his service with a fast forehand attack time and again, forced Yang Heng-Wei into a passive role; most certainly coach Zhao Peng had assessed matters to perfection.

Speed Again Vital
An impressive four straight games win for Hung Ka Tak was immediately followed by an equally impressive performance from Kim Minhyeok against David Reitspies; a performance that was very much in the mould of that executed by Hung Ka Tak, speed was a vital key factor.

“My forehand was strong today”, explained Kim Minhyeok. “Also, today I felt strong mentally, my head was clear.”

Strong Forehand
A clear mind and that was also most prevalent in the mind of Liao Cheng-Ting who brought the day’s matches to a conclusion.

“It’s the fourth time that I’ve played Chen Hongtao”, said Liao Cheng-Ting. “Before this match today he had won twice, I’d won once.”

Crucial Game
Liao Cheng-Ting was focused from the very start, he was hungry for success and established a two games to nil lead before Chen Hongtao responded, the third game proving crucial.

“Winning the close third game was very important”, concluded Liao Cheng-Ting. “It gave me confidence.”

Semi-Finals
At the semi-final stage Hugo Calderano meets Hung Ka Tak; Kim Minhyeok confronts Liao Cheng-Ting.

Meanwhile, in the consolation events it was success for Thailand’s Padasak Tanviriyavechakul and India’s Manika Batra.

Padasak Tanviriyavechakul won the Boys’ Singles event beating Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy in the final (12-10, 11-9, 11-7, 11-8); whilst Manikra Batra secured the counterpart Girls’ Singles competition. At the final hurdle she overcame Uruguay’s Maria Pia Lorenzotti (8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-6, 11-5).

Play concludes on Sunday 26^th January

Please visit ITTF's Event Website for more information.

Article by: ITTF - Ian Marshall
Photo by: Rita Taborda