It was another star in the crown of Amy Wang as she continued her run of success in Cadet and Junior events in Shanghai. For Wang medals have been pouring in in recent months with outstanding performances in Croatia and Slovenia, but this medal is indeed North America's first gold at the World Cadet Challenge.
In a drawn doubles style event, Amy was paired with Korea's Cho Daeseong. All matches had the added pressure of being best of 3 only so there was no time for a slow start. The pair quickly asserted their intention of taking the top spot by eliminating the top seeds 2-1 in their first match against a Chinese and Mexican duo, Song and Cossio Aceves, 11-4, 6-11, 11-3.
Into the next round at least one US player was guaranteed to move forward as Wang and Cho came head to head against Tianyue Yin of China and Crystal Wang. They had already accounted for Victor Liu and his Chinese partner in the round before. After a close first set encounter, 13-11, the second game went to Crystal and partner, before Amy and Cho came through and took the 3rd set 11-8.
The semifinal would see them pair off against another North American player. Sharon Alguetti was paired with Blaskova of the Czech Republic, yet in similar style it was Amy Wang and Cho Daeseong who won in the 3rd game to advance to the final.
The final would see them face Uda and Zaharia of Japan and Romania. The team had also had a strong run to the final and beaten some tough opposition. In the same way as with every other match the first set went to Cho and Wang, they hit the ground running, a habit which had served them well so far. Their opponents fought back to tie the match at 1-1 and as with every match for Amy's team it went down to a decider. They brought out their best in the third game to win a decisive 11-4.
Gold for North America and Asia in the Mixed Doubles. A great moment. Notable appearances were also the semifinal showing of Sharon Alguetti in the mixed and the combination of Victor Liu and Sharon Alguetti who also made the final 4 of the Boy's Doubles event.
Congratulations to all our team players on your fine results!
Main Draws
- Cadet Boys’ Singles Pos. 1-16
- Cadet Girls’ Singles Pos. 1-16
- Cadet Boys’ Singles Pos. 17-32
- Cadet Girl’s Singles Pos. 17-32
- Cadet Boys’ Doubles
- Cadet Girls’ Doubles
- Cadet Mixed Doubles
- Cadet Boys’ Team Main Draw
- Cadet Girls’ Team Main Draw
- Cadet Boys’ Team Pos. 5-8
- Cadet Girls’ Team Pos. 5-8
