On day one of the Australian Junior International 2019, the youngsters from Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei showed they weren’t afraid of Australia’s home advantage.
Out of the 68 players in the tournament, eight players traveled from Chinese Taipei while one Men’s Singles specialist flew from Sri Lanka to compete. Together, the talented youngsters didn’t drop a single game in their first round appearances.
Fifth seed Sri Lankan, Dumindu Abeywickrama, outwitted his Australian opponent in the first round in two quick games.
- Dumindu Abeywickrama (SRI)[5] vs Benjamin Eu-Wen Chen (AUS) 21-10 21-10
“Other players in Sri Lanka played this event last year and recommended for me to come this year. I am happy to be here and pleased with my performance”, says Dumindu.
Meanwhile, youngsters from Chinese Taipei walked off court with some highly convincing wins over the home players:
- Liao Po Kai (TPE) vs Nicholas Tran Quan Pham (AUS) 21-7 21-5
- Chu Tzu Cheng/Lai Pin Da (TPE) vs Asher Jing Jie Ooi (AUS) 21-6 21-9
- Lai Pin Da/Liao Tzu Yi (TPE) vs Aryan Jhade/Makayla Turner (AUS) 21-9 21-6
Meanwhile, Australia’s Dawson Lawrence delivered the first shock upset of the tournament after ousting sixth seed Ryan Venpin.
Australia’s Jun Zong Kayson Goh
This was shortly followed by a nail-biting competition between two Australian Men’s Singles players, with Jun Zong Kayson Goh overcoming his eighth seeded opponent.
- Dawson Lawrence (AUS) vs Ryan Venpin (AUS)[6] 21-15 21-14
- Jun Zong Kayson Goh(AUS) vs Julian Mao Lun Lee (AUS)[8] 14-21 21-18 21-15
In the Women’s Singles, the only seeded player not to receive a bye surpassed her first round challenge, with a comfortable win in the second game to seal her second round spot against Chinese Taipei’s Lee Yu-Hsuan.
Kelly Xu (AUS)[3] vs Catrina Chai-Yu Tan (AUS) 21-18 21-8
Play begins at 10am on day two of the Australian Junior International 2019.
Watch the action live on OVO and follow the draw on Tournament Software.
