DaveR
05-27-2008, 11:06 AM
Second seed Jiang Zhi Tao, unbeaten all Season for the all conquering DHS London Progress, British League Premier Division Champions, carried on where he had left off and became the 2008 GLC Men’s Singles Champion, beating top seed and club-mate Jason Sugrue 11-9, 11-9, 14-12, in a well contested final.
Both players had their scares on the way to the final. Jason needed five games to get the better of Chris Lewis 11-5, 9-11, 4-11, 11-5, 11-3 in the first round and he also needed a fourth end before he extinguished the hopes of Ashley Stokes 12-10, 11-8, 12-14, 11-5, in the penultimate round. Jiang Zhi Tao was also extended to four ends on two occasions. Koji Hirota took the first game before missing out 11-7, 2-11, 3-11, 6-11, whilst Dov Katz also took the first end before he lost 11-5, 2-11, 6-11, 8-11. In an event full of surprises Rafael Maron was an excellent 3-0 winner over Chris Lewis in the group stages, Dov Katz scored a superb 3-0 first round victory over Abdul Wuraola, whilst Ashley Stokes avenged his defeat in last year's Men’s Singles final by beating Hubert Noah comprehensively 3-0 in their quarter final clash. Koji Hirota upset the ETTA Rankings by beating the higher ranked Emran Hussain 11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 12-10. Elsewhere, number eight seed Remi Petrosius only just made it through to the quarter finals, edging out the little known Aaron McKibbin 13-11, 11-5, 10-12, 9-11, 14-12.
Understandably, there were few people prepared to bet against former World Team Champion and English Open Ladies Singles Winner Tong Fei Ming capturing the Ladies Singles title and she showed her power as she crushed newcomer Ikue Humphrey 3-0 in her semi-final. Ikue had in fact given finalist Egle Adomelyte a real battle in their group stages encounter and on this basis Egle appeared to have little realistic chance in the final. Although Tong Fei Ming won the first two games quite easily, Egle became more and more "involved" in the game as it progressed and the third and fourth ends were very well contested. The match scaled the heights and the "neutrals" would have loved to have seen a fifth end. However, it wasn't to be and Tong Fei Ming ran out a 11-6, 11--5, 9-11, 12-10 winner.
There was further success for Jiang Zhi Tao and Jason Sugrue as they took the Open Doubles by hammering the unseeded Ashley Stokes and Egle Adomelyte in a one-sided Final. Jason and Jiang had been pushed harder in their semi-final and they needed four games to get the better of Hubert Noah and Zayd Mauthoor 11-5, 10-12, 11-7, 11-4. Ashley and Egle had done well to reach the final and they ousted the combination bat specialists - the second seeds - Dov Katz and Maciej Nakielski 11-8, 8-11, 13-11, 11-4 in their semi-final encounter.
The Banded Singles (open to those players with less than 3,000 points on the ETTA Men’s Ranking List) was won by Rafael Maron, who stormed to the title, beating Jon Kaufman (11-8, 9-11, 11-3, 11-7), then Koji Hirota, most impressively 11-8, 11-8, 12-10 and in the final Zayd Mauthoor 9-11, 14-12, 12-10, 11-7. Zayd battled his way past Paul Martindill (11-8, 11-7, 11-9) and Ashley Hayes (11-7, 10-12, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7) to book his finals appearance.
As anticipated, England no. 1 Veteran Abdul Wuraola captured the Veterans Singles title from a small field. Abdul's toughest test came in his semi-final where he needed four games to get the better of second seed Jerome Jonah 8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-6 and in the Final he powered his way past Steve Kerns 11-3, 11-8, 11-5.
Results:
Mens
Jiang Zhi Tao bt. Jason Sugrue 11-9, 11-9, 14-12.
Ladies
Tong Fei Ming bt. Egle Admoelyte 11-6, 11-5, 9-11, 12-10.
Open Doubles
Jiang Zhi Tao/Jason Sugrue bt. Egle Adomelyte/Ashley Stokes 11-2, 11-4, 11-1.
Banded Singles
Rafael Marom bt. Zayd Mauthoor 9-11, 14-12, 12-10, 11-7.
Veterans Singles
Abdul Wuraola bt. Steve Kerns 11-3, 11-8, 11-5.
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13 year-old Zak Zilesnick, England's no.1 Under 13 player (who has been playing Table Tennis competitively for three years), set a record at this year's GLC Closed Championships, played at the London Progress Table Tennis Club that surely can't be beaten. He won all four Junior events, sensationally capturing the Boys Under 18, Under 15 and Under 13 Singles as well as the Junior boys doubles titles. He was pushed on numerous occasions, but each time Zak came under intense pressure, he somehow managed to come out on top. What's more and perhaps what is most important - Zak manages to play the same brand of free-flowing and aesthetically pleasing Table Tennis that English Junior International Liam Pitchford is renowned for.
Ryan Viegas was the "biggest mover and shaker" in the Under 18 Boys Singles and by beating top seed Rafael Marom in the group stages, he took Rafael's place at the top of the draw. Ryan fought his way through to the semi-finals beating Sullivan Morais 11-7, 11-5, 10-12, 7-11, 11-9 in the quarter-final, before missing out 6-11, 8-11, 9-11 against the hard-hitting Daniel Basterfield in the penultimate round. Rafael Marom's loss in the group stages also meant he had to face Zak Zilesnick in the first round and despite losing the first end, Zak took the match comfortably 13-15, 11-5, 11-4, 11-5. Myles Collin ousted no. 4 seed Guy Ben-Arora 9-11, 7-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 and he advanced to the semi-finals before losing 3-11, 8-11, 8-11 against Zilesnick. The final was fast and furious from the off and although a very determined Daniel Basterfield fought back bravely from 2-0 down, it was Zilesnick who made the better start in the fifth game. Zak took the title 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7.
Zak had to come through three titanic cliff-hangers before he was crowned Under 15 Boys Singles Champion. Igor Morais took the first two games in their second round encounter before Zak reasserted himself and pulled through 12-14, 12-14, 11-4, 11-7, 11-6, whilst Reece Tan looked to be on the way to reaching the final as he led Zak 7-4 in the deciding set of their semi-final. Was Zak finished? No way! Zak managed to haul his way back into contention and shaded the most compelling match of the day 6-11, 11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 13-11. It was fitting that the final should also be well contested and this time the hard-hitting Guy Ben Aroya fought back from 2-0 down, only to miss out 9-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-4, 8-11.
Not surprisingly Zak had fewer problems capturing the Boys Under 13 Singles title and he ran out a 11-6, 12-10, 11-6 winner over Igor Morais in the final. Igor had displayed all his trademark tenacity by getting the better of Reece Placid (whose ferocious forehand means his name is something of a misnomer) 10-12, 11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8.
Zak Zilesnick and Reece Tan, the top seeds, always looked the most likely winners of the Under 18 Boys Doubles, especially after the second seeds Daniel Basterfield and Sullivan Morais withdrew, and they claimed the title by getting the better of Dritan Sadiku and Damilola Thomas 9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 12-10, in a well contested final. William Morais and Tony Wilkinson had upset the seedings by ousting the no. 3 seeds Guy Ben-Aroya and Pritesh Kakad 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 at the quarter-final stage.
12 year-old Charleigh Kirby, ranked no. 5 in England at Under 13 Girls level, was the star of the girls events and by winning three titles, she was the second most successful player of the Saturday's events. Charleigh caused her biggest stir in the Girls Under 15 Singles final and by hitting superbly on the forehand she powered her way past the combination bat expertise of the top seed and England no. 14 Cadet Girl Sushmita Limbu 11-6, 11-3, 13-11. Charleigh had beaten Fei Fei Pei 11-7, 11-9, 11-9 in the semi-final whilst Fei Fei had come through the closest girls game of the day when she beat Laura Higham 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 15-13 a round earlier. Charleigh came into her own in the Girls Under 13 Singles and she claimed the title by getting the better of Lucy Lou 11-9, 11-5, 11-4 in the final. Lucy had seen off Leanne Neary 11-7, 11-3, 11-3 to book her final place.
There was further success in the Under 18 Girls Doubles where Charleigh Kirby and Laura Higham excelled to get the better of Dipa Tamang and Sushmita Limbu 11-8, 11-7, 13-11 in the final. Not only was this match well contested, but it was played with noticeable good humour, which was a stark contrast to some of the Boys Doubles games which seemed to develop into contests to see who could act in the most intimidating and noisy fashion.
It wasn't all gloom for Sushmita Limbu and she captured the Girls Under 18 Singles title. Her final opponent Fei Fei Pei had come through a cliff-hanger to get the better of Megan Sparrey 8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 7-11, 12-10 in the semi-final. Fei Fei made the better start in the final and won the first two games, but, when trailing in the third end she slipped and caught her head on the Table. Whether this influenced the outcome of the game is debatable, but full marks should be extended to both players. Fei Fei never once complained about what must have been a very off-putting incident, whilst Sushmita fought back very determinedly in the last match of what had been a very long day. Sushmita ran out 7-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 winner.
Results:
U18 Boys
Zak Zilesnick bt. Daniel Basterfield 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7.
U15 Boys
Zak Zilesnick bt. Guy Ben-Aroya 11-9, 13-11, 8-11, 4-11, 11-8.
U13 Boys
Zak Zilesnick bt. Igor Morais 11-6, 12-10, 11-6.
U18 Boys Doubles
Zak Zilesnick/Reece Tan bt. Dritan Sadiku/Damilola Thomas 9-11, 11-8, 3-11, 12-10.
U18 Girls
Sushmita Limbu bt. Fei Fei Pei 7-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7.
U15 Girls
Charleigh Kirby bt. Sushmita Limbu 11-6, 11-3, 13-11.
U13 Girls
Charleigh Kirby bt. Lucy Lou 11-9, 11-5, 11-4.
U18 Girls Doubles
Charleigh Kirby/Laura Higham bt. Dipa Tamang/Sushmita Limbu 11-8, 11-7, 13-11.
Article by Steve Kerns
Both players had their scares on the way to the final. Jason needed five games to get the better of Chris Lewis 11-5, 9-11, 4-11, 11-5, 11-3 in the first round and he also needed a fourth end before he extinguished the hopes of Ashley Stokes 12-10, 11-8, 12-14, 11-5, in the penultimate round. Jiang Zhi Tao was also extended to four ends on two occasions. Koji Hirota took the first game before missing out 11-7, 2-11, 3-11, 6-11, whilst Dov Katz also took the first end before he lost 11-5, 2-11, 6-11, 8-11. In an event full of surprises Rafael Maron was an excellent 3-0 winner over Chris Lewis in the group stages, Dov Katz scored a superb 3-0 first round victory over Abdul Wuraola, whilst Ashley Stokes avenged his defeat in last year's Men’s Singles final by beating Hubert Noah comprehensively 3-0 in their quarter final clash. Koji Hirota upset the ETTA Rankings by beating the higher ranked Emran Hussain 11-9, 7-11, 11-5, 12-10. Elsewhere, number eight seed Remi Petrosius only just made it through to the quarter finals, edging out the little known Aaron McKibbin 13-11, 11-5, 10-12, 9-11, 14-12.
Understandably, there were few people prepared to bet against former World Team Champion and English Open Ladies Singles Winner Tong Fei Ming capturing the Ladies Singles title and she showed her power as she crushed newcomer Ikue Humphrey 3-0 in her semi-final. Ikue had in fact given finalist Egle Adomelyte a real battle in their group stages encounter and on this basis Egle appeared to have little realistic chance in the final. Although Tong Fei Ming won the first two games quite easily, Egle became more and more "involved" in the game as it progressed and the third and fourth ends were very well contested. The match scaled the heights and the "neutrals" would have loved to have seen a fifth end. However, it wasn't to be and Tong Fei Ming ran out a 11-6, 11--5, 9-11, 12-10 winner.
There was further success for Jiang Zhi Tao and Jason Sugrue as they took the Open Doubles by hammering the unseeded Ashley Stokes and Egle Adomelyte in a one-sided Final. Jason and Jiang had been pushed harder in their semi-final and they needed four games to get the better of Hubert Noah and Zayd Mauthoor 11-5, 10-12, 11-7, 11-4. Ashley and Egle had done well to reach the final and they ousted the combination bat specialists - the second seeds - Dov Katz and Maciej Nakielski 11-8, 8-11, 13-11, 11-4 in their semi-final encounter.
The Banded Singles (open to those players with less than 3,000 points on the ETTA Men’s Ranking List) was won by Rafael Maron, who stormed to the title, beating Jon Kaufman (11-8, 9-11, 11-3, 11-7), then Koji Hirota, most impressively 11-8, 11-8, 12-10 and in the final Zayd Mauthoor 9-11, 14-12, 12-10, 11-7. Zayd battled his way past Paul Martindill (11-8, 11-7, 11-9) and Ashley Hayes (11-7, 10-12, 11-9, 5-11, 11-7) to book his finals appearance.
As anticipated, England no. 1 Veteran Abdul Wuraola captured the Veterans Singles title from a small field. Abdul's toughest test came in his semi-final where he needed four games to get the better of second seed Jerome Jonah 8-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-6 and in the Final he powered his way past Steve Kerns 11-3, 11-8, 11-5.
Results:
Mens
Jiang Zhi Tao bt. Jason Sugrue 11-9, 11-9, 14-12.
Ladies
Tong Fei Ming bt. Egle Admoelyte 11-6, 11-5, 9-11, 12-10.
Open Doubles
Jiang Zhi Tao/Jason Sugrue bt. Egle Adomelyte/Ashley Stokes 11-2, 11-4, 11-1.
Banded Singles
Rafael Marom bt. Zayd Mauthoor 9-11, 14-12, 12-10, 11-7.
Veterans Singles
Abdul Wuraola bt. Steve Kerns 11-3, 11-8, 11-5.
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13 year-old Zak Zilesnick, England's no.1 Under 13 player (who has been playing Table Tennis competitively for three years), set a record at this year's GLC Closed Championships, played at the London Progress Table Tennis Club that surely can't be beaten. He won all four Junior events, sensationally capturing the Boys Under 18, Under 15 and Under 13 Singles as well as the Junior boys doubles titles. He was pushed on numerous occasions, but each time Zak came under intense pressure, he somehow managed to come out on top. What's more and perhaps what is most important - Zak manages to play the same brand of free-flowing and aesthetically pleasing Table Tennis that English Junior International Liam Pitchford is renowned for.
Ryan Viegas was the "biggest mover and shaker" in the Under 18 Boys Singles and by beating top seed Rafael Marom in the group stages, he took Rafael's place at the top of the draw. Ryan fought his way through to the semi-finals beating Sullivan Morais 11-7, 11-5, 10-12, 7-11, 11-9 in the quarter-final, before missing out 6-11, 8-11, 9-11 against the hard-hitting Daniel Basterfield in the penultimate round. Rafael Marom's loss in the group stages also meant he had to face Zak Zilesnick in the first round and despite losing the first end, Zak took the match comfortably 13-15, 11-5, 11-4, 11-5. Myles Collin ousted no. 4 seed Guy Ben-Arora 9-11, 7-11, 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 and he advanced to the semi-finals before losing 3-11, 8-11, 8-11 against Zilesnick. The final was fast and furious from the off and although a very determined Daniel Basterfield fought back bravely from 2-0 down, it was Zilesnick who made the better start in the fifth game. Zak took the title 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7.
Zak had to come through three titanic cliff-hangers before he was crowned Under 15 Boys Singles Champion. Igor Morais took the first two games in their second round encounter before Zak reasserted himself and pulled through 12-14, 12-14, 11-4, 11-7, 11-6, whilst Reece Tan looked to be on the way to reaching the final as he led Zak 7-4 in the deciding set of their semi-final. Was Zak finished? No way! Zak managed to haul his way back into contention and shaded the most compelling match of the day 6-11, 11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 13-11. It was fitting that the final should also be well contested and this time the hard-hitting Guy Ben Aroya fought back from 2-0 down, only to miss out 9-11, 11-13, 11-8, 11-4, 8-11.
Not surprisingly Zak had fewer problems capturing the Boys Under 13 Singles title and he ran out a 11-6, 12-10, 11-6 winner over Igor Morais in the final. Igor had displayed all his trademark tenacity by getting the better of Reece Placid (whose ferocious forehand means his name is something of a misnomer) 10-12, 11-8, 12-10, 9-11, 11-8.
Zak Zilesnick and Reece Tan, the top seeds, always looked the most likely winners of the Under 18 Boys Doubles, especially after the second seeds Daniel Basterfield and Sullivan Morais withdrew, and they claimed the title by getting the better of Dritan Sadiku and Damilola Thomas 9-11, 11-8, 11-3, 12-10, in a well contested final. William Morais and Tony Wilkinson had upset the seedings by ousting the no. 3 seeds Guy Ben-Aroya and Pritesh Kakad 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 at the quarter-final stage.
12 year-old Charleigh Kirby, ranked no. 5 in England at Under 13 Girls level, was the star of the girls events and by winning three titles, she was the second most successful player of the Saturday's events. Charleigh caused her biggest stir in the Girls Under 15 Singles final and by hitting superbly on the forehand she powered her way past the combination bat expertise of the top seed and England no. 14 Cadet Girl Sushmita Limbu 11-6, 11-3, 13-11. Charleigh had beaten Fei Fei Pei 11-7, 11-9, 11-9 in the semi-final whilst Fei Fei had come through the closest girls game of the day when she beat Laura Higham 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 15-13 a round earlier. Charleigh came into her own in the Girls Under 13 Singles and she claimed the title by getting the better of Lucy Lou 11-9, 11-5, 11-4 in the final. Lucy had seen off Leanne Neary 11-7, 11-3, 11-3 to book her final place.
There was further success in the Under 18 Girls Doubles where Charleigh Kirby and Laura Higham excelled to get the better of Dipa Tamang and Sushmita Limbu 11-8, 11-7, 13-11 in the final. Not only was this match well contested, but it was played with noticeable good humour, which was a stark contrast to some of the Boys Doubles games which seemed to develop into contests to see who could act in the most intimidating and noisy fashion.
It wasn't all gloom for Sushmita Limbu and she captured the Girls Under 18 Singles title. Her final opponent Fei Fei Pei had come through a cliff-hanger to get the better of Megan Sparrey 8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 7-11, 12-10 in the semi-final. Fei Fei made the better start in the final and won the first two games, but, when trailing in the third end she slipped and caught her head on the Table. Whether this influenced the outcome of the game is debatable, but full marks should be extended to both players. Fei Fei never once complained about what must have been a very off-putting incident, whilst Sushmita fought back very determinedly in the last match of what had been a very long day. Sushmita ran out 7-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7 winner.
Results:
U18 Boys
Zak Zilesnick bt. Daniel Basterfield 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 9-11, 11-7.
U15 Boys
Zak Zilesnick bt. Guy Ben-Aroya 11-9, 13-11, 8-11, 4-11, 11-8.
U13 Boys
Zak Zilesnick bt. Igor Morais 11-6, 12-10, 11-6.
U18 Boys Doubles
Zak Zilesnick/Reece Tan bt. Dritan Sadiku/Damilola Thomas 9-11, 11-8, 3-11, 12-10.
U18 Girls
Sushmita Limbu bt. Fei Fei Pei 7-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7.
U15 Girls
Charleigh Kirby bt. Sushmita Limbu 11-6, 11-3, 13-11.
U13 Girls
Charleigh Kirby bt. Lucy Lou 11-9, 11-5, 11-4.
U18 Girls Doubles
Charleigh Kirby/Laura Higham bt. Dipa Tamang/Sushmita Limbu 11-8, 11-7, 13-11.
Article by Steve Kerns