Qatar Olympic Committee
Yashaswini Ghorpade has upended the seedings at WTT Youth Star Contender Doha 2023, taking down the U19 Girls' Singles title. Going in to the event as a wildcard, Ghorpade made the most of the opportunity as she topped the podium by defeating 2nd seed Yuna Ojio 3-2 (7-11, 15-13, 11-5, 8-11, 11-9).
The unique stylings of Ojio's katana grip saw her charge to an early lead. She held in front the entire way to comfortably win the opening game.
Game two would prove decisive. Ghorpade seemed to find her rhythm, racing in front 7-2. But the 15-year-old from Japan returned the favour, posting eight consecutive points to give herself three game points for a seemingly unassailable lead.
Ghorpade fought back, saving each game point to level the score at deuce. Once again Ojio had chances to close things out, finding three more game points throughout deuce, but she was unable to convert. The Indian rising star notched-up a game point of her own at 14-13, and immediately seized the chance, winning 15-13 and levelling the scoreboard 1-1.
From then on it was a see-saw match. Both players had long strings of points, exchanging momentum. Ultimately it was Ghoparde who found herself in front at the right time, closing out the match in five tight games for the win.
The victory in Doha is Ghorpade's second in WTT Youth Series 2023, having previously taken down the U19 title at WTT Youth Contender Rio de Janeiro 2023. With Youth Star Contender points now in the bag, the World Youth No.22 will see a big jump when the Week 42 rankings drop this Tuesday.
Yuna Ojio didn't leave Doha empty handed. Teaming up with Hana Goda, the unique partnership threw a spanner in the works of the U19 Girls' Doubles.
Rivals turned teammates, it was a first-time pairing that immediately brought dividends. In a dramatic final the duo held out to defeat Liu Xinran and Goa Yuxin 3-2 (11-8, 3-11, 11-6, 3-11, 11-9).
Ojio also took down the U15 Girls' Singles and paired with Tamito Watanabe for the U15 Mixed Doubles to leave Qatar with a suitcase full of trophies.
In the U19 Boys' Singles World Youth No.6 Wen Ruibo continued his unstoppable ways on the youth scene.
The 16-year-old struck gold once again, picking up his first Youth Star Contender title of the year with a 3-1 (12-10, 11-9, 5-11, 15-13) against Milosz Redzimski.
Wen's title in Doha added to the silverware already collected this year in Spa, Bangkok and Panagyurishte.