Singapore players make strong presence at ATF 14&U
I feel very grateful because my draws were the hardest and l could reach both the singles and doubles finals. — Phay Kai Chuen, Singapore’s junior player
KUCHING: Phay Kai Chuen of Singapore created history in the ATF 14& Under Series tennis tournament at the Sarawak Lawn Tennis Association (SLTA) Tennis Centre yesterday when he became the first qualifier to win the boys singles title.
The 14-year-old member of Singapore’s national junior squad fought back from the brink to beat teammate and tournament fifth seed Luke Ho Jie Xi in three sets for his major win of his career. He lost the first set 0-6 but staged a remarkable comeback to eventually win 76(6), 6-4 in the match that took one hour and 50 minutes.
“I am very surprised with my performance this week because I played in the qualifying match before entering the main draw and I played against very good players. And I didn’t expect anything much in this tournament.
“I feel very grateful because my draws were the hardest and l could reach both the singles and doubles finals,” said Phay.
He conceded he played “badly” in the first set but decided to “focus on my strokes” in the second.
“When l was leading 5-4 I thought l could win so l had to play with more intensity,” Phay told thesundaypost after the match.
It was point for point in the third before Phay prevailed.
“I am very happy to beat Luke today and it is mainly because I know his playing techniques well and we often engaged in sparring matches during national squad training.
“I was here in 2019 for the 14th edition where I only made it to the second round and this is my first international win,” added Phay.
He had won the Singapore National Under-12 title in 2020, and was a finalist in both the U10 and in U14 this year, also losing to Luke Ho.
Meanwhile, Singapore players had a great week in Kuching, with four of them reaching the boys singles and doubles finals.
On Friday, Phay partnered Ethan Chan Jun Hui in the boys doubles final but they lost 2-6, 4-6 to the Hong Kong pair of Brandon Wong Yik Hin and Donovan Yim Wan Him.
When asked about his future plans, Phay said he would return to training with the national team and start preparing for the ITF junior tournaments from next year onwards.