JESSICA YAMADA: THE MOST SUCESSFUL PLAYER IN VENEZ
Por CBTM
Jessica Yamada from São Paulo emerged as the most successful player in the individual events at the Venezuelan Junior Open in Valencia on Monday 5th March 2007.
The Brazilian teenager won the Girls' Singles title and with compatriot Karin Fukushima captured the Girls' Doubles crown.
On the last day of play she beat top seed, Sweden's Madeleine Melcher in the semi-finals of the Girls' Singles event before overcoming the host nation's Ruaida Ezzeddine in the final.
Swede Suffers
Meanwhile, in the Girls' Doubles it was Madeleine Melcher who was also to suffer at the hands of the Brazilian teenager. Partnering Felicia Falck the top seeded Swedes lost to Karin Fukushima and Jessica Yamada in the semis in five hard fought games. The defeat thus opened the door for the Brazilians to advance to the final, where in a similarly hard fought encounter, victory over Spain's Marta Alech and Carmen Solichero was achieved.
In the Girls' Singles event Jessica Yamada beat Madeleine Melcher 9-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-6, 10-12, 11-7 whilst in the final she overcame Ruaida Ezzeddine 11-4, 9-11, 11-9, 11-6, 12-14, 11-6. At the penultimate stage Ruaida Ezzeddine defeated Cuba's Heylyn Trujillo 11-4, 9-11, 9-11, 11-1, 11-5, 11-6.
Previous Meeting
"I knew that Madeleine doesn't like playing me", explained Jessica Yamada. "I played her in Brazil in 2005 at the ITTF World Junior Circuit event and won, so I started today with a degree of confidence."
The Brazilian teenager played with self belief and throughout she maintained her concentration.
Concentration
Good focus was crucial as in the final she faced Venezuela's Ruaida Ezzeddine and of course the crowd was on the side of the local girl.
"I told Jessica to try to remain calm, to play one point at a time and not to rush", explained Lincon Yasuda, the Brazilian coach. "I told her to keep the ball on the table and play long rallies."
Good Attitude
The tactic worked and Jessica Yamada maintained the pressure on her opponent.
"She had a very good attitude today, she was positive, mentally strong, she played with no fear; her topspin play was very positive", continued Lincon Yasuda who advised me at the ITTF World Junior Championships in Cairo in December 2006 that his mother named him Lincoln but spelt it wrongly and so he is Lincon. Does anyone believe that?
Girls' Doubles
In the Girls' Doubles semi-finals Karin Fukushima and Jessica Yamada beat Felicia Falck and Madeleine Melcher 2-11, 11-8, 5-11, 11-8, 11-9 whilst Marta Alech and Carmen Solichero overcame Venezuela's Ruaida Ezzeddine and Jennypher Orellana 11-9, 2-11, 11-3, 11-9. Brazil versus Spain in the final it was the former who prevailed, with Karin Fukushima and Jessica Yamada winning 13-11, 9-11, 13-11, 7-11, 11-4.
"In the doubles they had their good times and bad times", reflected Lincon Yasuda. "Both matches were close and when they could play their topspins they started to win, I'm very pleased with them today, they showed great courage."
Successful Tournament
It was from Karin Fukushima and Jessica Yamada a brave performance and for Jessica Yamada a very successful tournament.
She had two prestigious titles to her credit, Brazil could rejoice. It was Samba time.
