September 8, 2008
ITTF Junior Circuit: Funchal Junior Open
 Victorien Le Guen, the Boys' Singles winner in Funchal Photo By: Arco Iris (Jose Sousa) |
Courtesy of ITTF |
Seeded six, the Frenchman had clearly learnt from his experience in South America. He beat top seed, Russia's Alexander Shibaev, in the final at the Funchal Junior Open; thus he collected his first ITTF Junior Circuit title and virtually guaranteed himself a place in the ITTF Junior Circuit Finals later in the year.
At the commencement of play he occupied fourth place on the ITTF Junior Circuit Boys' Standings.
Golden Road
The champion elect started his program with victory over the host country's Vitaly Efimov before causing one of the tournament's upsets by defeating, third seed, Croatia's Borna Kovac in the quarters.
A semi-final place reserved he accounted for Sweden's Simon Ardvisson in a contest where he stared defeat in the face. He recovered from a three games to one deficit to secure victory and a place in the final.
Silver Again
Once again, as it had been at the European Youth Championships earlier in the year, it was the silver medal for Alexander Shibaev; a player who had been in impressive form en route to the Boys' Singles final defeating Portugal's Diogo Pinho and Russian compatriot, Taras Merzlikin before ousting fourth seed, France's Thomas Le Breton in the semis.
Early Exit
Silver for the top seed but for the second seed, Croatia's Borna Kovac, it was a much earlier exit than anticipated. He was beat in round two by Belgium's Lauric Jean who then was defeated by Aimon Ardvisson.
Different Thinking
Success for France who followed a policy different from the norm as Ramon Ortega, the ITTF Competition Manager on duty in Funchal noted.
"The French players in the singles and the doubles events, didn't have coach sitting on the bench to advise them; a good system as it forced the players to use their minds to think about the tactics and how to play against the opponent", explained Ramon Ortega. "I spoke to the French coach who explained that the players must learn how to use their mind and working things out by themselves and not always depend on the coach; however, it is not going to be a general policy, only for tournaments like Funchal, played at the start of the season."
Boys' Doubles
Gold for France in the Boys' Singles event but that was not to be situation in the Boys' Doubles where Tomas Le Breton and Victorien Le Guen, seeded two, suffered a semi-final defeat at the hands of eventual champions, Germany's Patrick Franziska and Christoph Schmidl.
In the final the duo overcame top seeds Hungary's Daniel Kosiba and Croatia's Borna Kovac to capture gold having ousted Portugal's Diogo Carvalho and Vitaly Efimov one round earlier.
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