Over 200 spectators watched eight teams battle it out for early honours after the first two rounds
Australia’s female team suffered an early loss in the first round, going down 3-0 to third seeded Chinese Taipei. Melissa Tapper, 16, was unable to halt the advance of Hsiao Fang Kung, losing her singles match 3-1; whilst Cassandra Ng went down to top seed Nai Hsiung 3-0. The Australian girls lost the doubles match in straight sets.
The Australian men enjoyed a tighter competition against Hong Kong in the first round, playing for almost two hours and cheered on by an enthusiastic crowd.
Ninth seeded Robert Frank put up a formidable defense against Chor Fung Cheng, but was nonetheless unable to secure a victory, going down 3-0. Team-mate Kyle Davis was more successful, securing the honour in a close match against opponent Chung Hei Chiu with a score of 3-2. However, the Australians were unable to hold on in the doubles match, going down 3-1. Davis lost the deciding match against Cheng 3-0.
“It was a disappointing result, considering how hard and how long we played,” reflected Davis after the match. “Hong Kong is a top team, so it was good that we were able to hold our own, but still, we definitely want to do much better in the next few rounds.”
The hard work by the Australian men paid off in the second round with the men enjoying a well earned victory against New Zealand. Davis won a nail-biting match against Steven Zeng, 3-1, whilst Frank beat opponent Phillip Xiao in straight sets, before the duo went on to an easy 3-0 victory in the doubles.
However, the news was not so good for the Australian women’s team which was unable to wrestle the match away in the face of an aggressive New Zealand attack. Tapper put up a valiant fight against Sophie Shu, but still went down 3-2; whilst Ng lost to opponent Jenny Hung 3-2. The duo lost the doubles match 3-2.
“We all played pretty well,” commented Tapper. “All the teams are in top shape so it’s going to be a struggle to get into the quarter finals. My hope is that we’ll be able to play above our seeded position.”
Other Round One Results:
Men:
China def. New Zealand: 3-0
Britain def. Oceana: 3-0
Chinese Taipei def. New Caledonia: 3-0
Women:
Hong Kong def. Oceana: 3-0
China def. New Caledonia: 3-0
Great Britain def. New Zealand: 3-2
Other Round Two Results:
Men:
Chinese Taipei def. Oceana: 3-0
Great Britain def. New Caledonia: 3-0
China def. Hong Kong: 3-2
Women:
China def. Oceana: 3-0
Hong Kong def. New Caledonia: 3-0
Chinese Taipei def. Great Britain: 3-0
Bridget Jenkins
AYOF
