Different Partner, Same Outcome for Kanak Jha, Partners Jack Wang to Gold
Courtesy of ITTF

The winner one year ago in partnership with colleague Kunal Chodri, one year later in the Junior Boys’ Team event at the Butterfly 2015 Canadian Junior and Cadet Open in Markham it was success in harness with a different compatriot.

On the early evening of Tuesday 12th May, Kanak Jha secured gold in harness with Jack Wang; on this occasion, Kunal Chodri being in the outfit that had to settle for the silver medal.

He partnered Theodore Tran, the duo experiencing a three-one defeat at the final hurdle.

Mainstay of Success
Kanak Jha proved the backbone of success for the USA ‘A’ in the final against USA ‘C’.

Impressively, he beat both Theodore Tran (11-6, 11-5, 11-5) and Kunal Chodri (9-11, 11-5, 11-6, 10-12, 11-5); the one further win a three-one success being recorded by Jack Wang in the opening match of the contest against Kunal Chodri (9-11, 11-3, 11-2, 12-10).

The one win for Kunal Chodri and Theodore Tran came in the doubles; a close five games win being the outcome (15-13, 12-14, 13-11, 9-11, 11-7).

Backspin Serves
“Against Kunal he had problems returning my backspin serves; I varied between short and long serves to his backhand”, said Jack Wang . “I was able to flick his services and I felt relaxed.”

A pleased Jack Wang, it was a similar reaction from Kanak Jha.

Moved Better
“I’m happy with my performance; I think today I moved better than yesterday”, saif Kanak Jha. “I have a good record against Kunal and Theodore, so I felt confident today.”

Success for Kanak Jha and Jack Wang; furthermore, it was success at the first attempt. It was their debut in the team event.

Day Two: Team events conclude at Butterfly 2014 Canadian Junior and Cadet Open

Closest Possible Encounter
Earlier, at the semi-final stage Kanak Jha and Jack Wang had beaten the Canada ‘B’ duo of Guo Moxi and Brian Ho by three matches to nil; whilst at the same stage Kunal Chodri and Theodore Tran had ended the hopes of USA ‘B’ partnership formed by Krishnateja Avvari and Victor Liu in a close five match encounter.

Perhaps a close encounter is an understatement; every match went the full five games distance.

Kunal Chodri beat Krishnateja Avvari in the second match of the contest (5-11, 11-8, 9-11, 18-16, 11-7), before in the vital fifth and concluding match of the engagement defeating Victor Liu (11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 9-11, 11-7).

Meanwhile, Theodore Tran beat Krishnateja Avvari in the fourth match of the contest (8-11, 12-10, 12-10, 10-12, 11-4), after having suffered defeat in the opening contest in opposition to Victor Liu (9-11, 11-9, 3-11, 12-10, 11-7) and doubles reverse with Kunal Chodri (9-11, 9-11, 1106, 11-5, 15-13).

Individual Events Start
Play in the Junior Boys’ Team event over, the Cadet Boys’ Singles and Junior Boys’ Singles event starts on Wednesday 13th May.