YONEX DUTCH JUNIOR – Dutch Duos don’t Disappoint

By Elm Vandevorst, Badzine Correspondent.  Photo: BadmintonPhoto.com (archives)

Most of the Asian countries decided not to send their youngsters to the Netherlands this year, due to the Youth Olympics held later this year pushing the Asian Juniors into late March.  Only a strong delegation from Hong Kong had the tricky task of defending the honour of the Asian continent.  One of their participants was Ng Ka Long, who was able to win three titles at last year’s U16 Asian Championships.  At the Dutch Junior, he was held to just one.  Together with his partner Poon Lok Yan, they were just a bit stronger than English pair Matthew Nottingham / Helena Lewczynska with 22-20, 21-18. 

Ng Ka Long had another opportunity in the men’s doubles but had no chance whatsoever against top seeds Jacco Arends / Jelle Maes.  The Dutchmen hammered Ng Ka Long and his teammate Lee Chun Hei, finishing the match in less than half an hour with 21-8, 21-7.  Another great day for Arends and Maes as they already became national championships in January.

Further success for the homeland in the women’s doubles came as first seeds Selena Piek and Iris Tabeling were up against the strapping Russian pair Chervyakova/Korobeynikova.   Chervyakova had to defend her title, which she won alongside Romina Gabdulina.  Unfortunately, Gabdulina is still recovering from surgery and couldn’t take part this year.  But the new duo representing mother Russia are also first-class, which was proven by their victory at the Turkish Junior, held one month ago.  Piek/Tabeling didn’t seem very impressed and took the first game before it had really begun 21-6.  The Russian girls took the second game, but in the end Piek and Tabeling secured victory with 21-9 in the deciding rubber. 

A far bigger surprise came in the men’s singles with Toby Penty becoming the new owner of the Dutch Junior title.  The English shuttler, who already played the semis at the Belgian Junior in 2009, now defeated Mathias Borg from Sweden after three thrilling games.  Neither player had dropped a game so far in this tournament, but it was Penty who took control by claiming the opening game 21-19.  Borg played far better in the second game and eventually prevailed with 21-12.  The Swede took a 13-11 lead, however it was Penty who took it all.  Borg could only obtain one more point and ultimately suffered defeat 21-14.

In another All-European encounter, in the women’s singles, Anastasia Perminova found England’s Sarah Milne (pictured top) on the other side of the net.  And it was third time lucky for Perminova after she lost in the final and quarter-final in respectively 2009 and 2008.  Although the Russian shuttler is still a junior, she already has a lot of experience.  The English girl gave her best, but it was her opponent, who finally managed to claim victory 21-16, 21-16.