DAY 7 Wrap – Yan and Lay Claim Top Honours

The 2017 Australian Senior Championships came to a close on Saturday 30 September in Adelaide with Chris Yan and Jian Fang Lay claiming the coveted Men’s and Women’s Singles crowns.

In the Men’s Singles top seeded New South Welshman Chris Yan emerged victorious, but he did it the hard way. Being top seed he wasn’t required to take to the court in the group stage, however in the main draw he required at least six games to overcome each adversary. In round one he came back from 0-2 to oust Luke Cosgriff 4-2, before maintaining the same score line against Jake Duffy in round two and Wade Townsend in the quarter final. In the semi final against fellow 2016 Olympian David Powell the match ebbed and flowed before Yan eventually came out in front 11-9 in the deciding seventh game. The final against 2016 Olympian Heming Hu was equally as epic. Both players looked like they were taking the game away from the other at various stages but once again it came down to a seventh game. It was Yan who held his nerve to claim a well deserved National Title and $1,000 prize money. With a gold medal in his pocket no doubt Yan will be looking to get in as much sleep as possible in the coming weeks as wife and Olympian Sally Zhang is due to give birth to their first child.

Jian Fang Lay entered the Women’s Singles competition fresh after playing limited matches in the Women’s Team event and it showed throughout. He biggest scare came in the semi final when youngster Jiamuwa Wu tested the veteran severely. Wu took the first game and established a 7-1 lead in the second, however in what turned out to be a crucial momentum swing, Lay took the second game 13-11. Eventually Wu established a 3-2 lead but then the class, poise and experience of Lay shone brightly. She controlled the last two games to claim a 4-3 win. In the other semi final it was a case of so close yet so far for Michelle Bromley in her match against Miao Miao. Bromley’s form had fluctuated in the team event but she found her rhythm in this match. After Miao took a 2-0 lead it was Beaumont who lifted, she established a 3-2 lead and even had a match point in the sixth game but that was as close as she got. Miao held her nerve to claim that game and then the seventh to reach the final. As has been the case countless times prior, the two old rivals Lay and Miao faced off in a National Championship final. On this occasion Lay held all the aces and claimed a 4-1 victory and $1,000 prize money.

In the Under 21 Men’s Singles Dominic Huang saved his best until last as he was in the fast lane all day. In the semi final he never let best friend and doubles partner Jake Duffy into the match, steamrolling his way to a 4-1 win. Rohan Dhooria continues to show his promise as a player of the future, this was underlined by him reaching the final as he overcame Benjamin Gould in a hard fought six game duel in the semi final. Huang kept his momentum from the semi final as he kept Dhooria at bay sufficiently enough to claim a six games victory and $250 prize money.

In the Under 21 Women’s Singles Jiamuwa Wu continued her red hot form, sweeping all before her to claim the title without dropping a single game. After winning through her group with minimal fuss, Wu went on to oust Michelle Wu in the semi final and Parleen Kaur in the final to walk away with a gold medal and $250 prize money.

TTA thanks Table Tennis South Australia for their efforts in hosting the 2017 National Championships as well as all officials and volunteers for making it a very successful event. Given changes in key personnel at TTA recently the local organising committee stepped up and did an admirable job throughout, congratulations to all concerned.

For full results, click here.