World Junior Finals: Indians exit on opening day

On a tough day for Indian paddlers, all three in the fray, including national champion Siddhesh Pandey, suffered defeats on the opening day of the ITTF World Junior Circuit Finals here today.

Archana Girish Kamat lost 11-3 1-11 8-11 3-11 7-11 5-11 to Romanian rival Andrea Dragoman.

On a tough day for Indian paddlers, all three in the fray, including national champion Siddhesh Pandey, suffered defeats on the opening day of the ITTF World Junior Circuit Finals here today.

Competing in Group 2, 15th seed Pandey suffered a tame 4-11 9-11 5-11 3-11 defeat against eighth seed Helshan Weerasinghe of England.

Mudit Dani met a similar fate in Group 1 as he lost 3-11 5-11 9-11 4-11 to seventh seed American Zhang Kai.

In the girls event, Archana Girish Kamat lost 11-3 1-11 8-11 3-11 7-11 5-11 to Romanian rival Andrea Dragoman. The Romanian was a tricky player and she seized the opportunity quickly to go up. Though Archana tried to win the fifth game, it proved to be very difficult for the Indian as she failed to counter her flicks when returned short and those powerful forehands.

Results:

Junior Boys: Group 1: Zhang Kai (USA) bt Mudit Dani (IND) 4-0 (11-3, 11-5, 11-9, 11-4), An Jaehyun (KOR) bt Jonah Schlie (GER) 4-1 (11-3, 11-9, 10-12,11-4, 11-8).

Group 2: Carlos Vedriel (ESP) bt Darko Jorgic (SLO) 4-1 (11-7, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-4), Helshan Weerasinghe (ENG) 4-0 bt Siddhesh Pandey 4-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-5, 11-3).

Junior Girls: Group 1: Adina Diaconu (ROU) bt Zhang Xuan (ESP) 4-2 (6-11, 11-9, 11-7, 6-11, 11-3, 11-6), Lin Po-Hsuan (TPE) bt Amira Yousry (EGY) 4-0 (11-2, 11-7, 11-7, 11-8).

Group 2: Miyuu Kihara (JPN) bt Tamolwan Khetkhuan (THA) 4-3 (1-11, 2-11, 13-15, 11-8, 11-8, 11-7, 11-2), Lin Chia-Hsuan (TPE) bt Wu Jiamuwa (AUS) 4-2 (8-11, 12-10, 11-9, 5-11, 11-5, 11-2).

Group 3: Park Seri (KOR) bt Zhu Chengzhu (HKG) 4-2 (4-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-4), Angela Guan (USA) bt Bruna Takahashi (BRA) 4-2 (11-8, 9-11, 10-12, 11-4, 11-4, 11-6).

Group 4: Andreea Dragoman (ROU) bt Archana Girish Kamath (IND) 4-2 (3-11, 11-1, 11-8, 11-3, 7-11, 11-5), Pauline Chasselin (FRA) bt Letcia Nakada (BRA) 4- 1 (6-11, 11-5, 14-12, 13-11, 11-8).