The All Africa U19 Individual Championships kicked off with an electrifying start today in Thies, Senegal, as Egypt’s Elgendy Hadia, the second seed in the Women’s Singles, delivered a stunning performance by defeating 2023 U15 African Champion and triple gold medalist, Elsa How Hong, in an intense three-set match. The match, held on Court 4, lasted an exhausting 50 minutes, keeping spectators on the edge of their seats until the very last point.
Hadia, known for her strategic gameplay, fought back after dropping the first set 16-21. She exhibited amazing resilience and tactical prowess, winning the second set 21-19 and carrying her momentum into the third set to secure a 21-17 victory. The match was a true testament to Hadia’s skill and strategy, as she overcame a fierce and highly talented opponent.
After her hard-fought win, Hadia shared her joy with BCA TV: “I am very happy with my performance today and the way I played. I knew from the beginning that it was going to be a tough match, but I managed to put in place a good strategy in order to win the match. I am happy that it paid off and I won the match. I know very well that Elsa was a strong contender for this Women’s Singles, and I believe that the most difficult is yet to come for me. Now I should focus on my next upcoming match, and I hope to continue on this tempo.”
The excitement didn’t stop there. In the Men’s Singles round of 64, Ziad Hesham from Egypt won a gripping 41-minute match against Ricardo Vigario. After dropping the first set 19-21, Hesham stormed back with an emphatic 21-7 win in the second set and sealed his victory with a 21-10 win in the third. After the match, Hesham expressed his relief and joy:
“I am very happy to win my first match in this individual event. I knew my opponent very well and I also knew that it was going to be a difficult match. But I am happy to pull through to the next round, and I need to keep up with the same energy in order to advance.”
In another upset, South Africa’s Lourens Scheffer defeated Algeria’s Ayoub Rayan Daoud in straight sets, 22-20, 21-17, in the Men’s Singles round of 64. Scheffer’s win was a significant one, demonstrating his potential as a strong contender in the tournament.
The day also saw an intense Mixed Doubles round of 32, where Jeredy Steve Bassa and Blessing Atchade from Benin clinched a thrilling victory against Senegal’s Aly Amadou Kane and Kartoumy Doucoure. The match was a nail-biter, with the Benin pair coming out on top in the decider, 21-19, 12-21, 19-21. After their win, Jeredy and Blessing told BCA TV:
“The match was very intense and till the very end it was difficult to know who would win. But luckily, we managed to pull through, and we are happy that we did fewer unforced errors at the end. Now our next objective is the last 16, and we need to rest well and focus on our next opponent.”
The first day of the All Africa U19 Individual Championships was packed with thrilling and exciting matches, and the stage is set for even more excitement as the tournament progresses. For detailed results, check the official tournament page here. Stay tuned to our YouTube Channel, WhatsApp Channel, and Facebook page for live updates. Don’t miss Day 2 for more exciting matches and surprises!
