Shin Jaejun (Photo Tennis Cambodia)
Shin Jaejun’s appetite for accolades has doubled after winning both the boy’s singles and doubles titles at the Tep Khunnah Memorial Cup last week.
The 15-year-old Korean teenager has qualified for both the singles and doubles semi-finals of the ongoing J30 Phnom Penh.
“My target is to win both titles again,” said Jaejun, who exudes the swagger, confidence and maturity beyond his age.
It is almost certain that he had inherited this from his father Shin Heung Sup.
“He used to play competitive tennis. I thought he looked cool and decided to pick up the sport,” said Jaejun, whose name also seems to describe the youngster.
The name Jaejun comes from the sino-Korean characters – Jae, meaning “talent” or “wealth” and Joon, meaning “handsome.” Under the watchful eyes of his father, who also doubles up as his personal coach, Jaejun is definitely growing into his name.
“It is studies from 9am to 3pm and tennis after that until 7pm,” said the player, who intends to turn pro before he turns 20.
Earlier today he defeated neutral athlete Fedor Evdokimov,seeded seventh, 6-3, 6-1 in the boys singles quarter-finals. He then teamed up with Koo Bon Hong Koo to upstage the Korean-Austrian pair of Kim Kyungone-Jonathan Roth 6-4, 6-1 in the doubles quarter-finals.
“My target is to reach world number one,” said Jaejun whose self-confidence belies his young age.
Prior to claiming the double in Phnom Penh last week, Jaejun’s best performance at the ITF Junior circuit this season was a semi-final appearance at the J30 Camp Petit Phoenix in September.
“I think I serve very well and my ground strokes are as good. But, I am mentally very strong and that helps me build a strong game,” said Jaejun, whose tennis idol is the legendary Rafael Nadal.
Rafael Nadal, throughout his illustrious career maintained a never-give-up attitude through passion and intensity, consistent focus. Just like Nadal, Jaejun is already positively inculcating this in his own budding career.
His calmness on court may also be because he also play chess.
“I have a 600 rating but I think I am better than that, said Jaejun, who was already playing chess online moments after his quarter-final match.
Down the memory lane with Jaejun
Hailing from the Gangwon, a mountainous, forested province in northeast South Korea, Jaejun loves trekking.
“I like nature and mountain climbing but I also play other sports including basketball,” said Jaejun, who also spends time on esports.
He admitted that he was a gamer, playing online games including FIFA, PUBG and League of Legends.
Jaejun will play second seeded Indonesian Joachim Mika Gunawan in the semi-finals tomorrow. Joachim was beaten in the opening round at the Tep Khunnah Memorial Cup last week and is looking to redeem himself. The other semi-finals will see Jaejun’s doubles partner Bon Hong playing top seeded Gao Ruochen.
Jaejun-Bon Hong take on unseeded Shi Run Ze-Zhao Fanyu in the boy’s doubles semi-finals.
BACK-TO-BACK TITLE BECKONS FOR DAANIA
Meanwhile, girl’s singles top seed Daania Daniella Hazli of Malaysia is through to the finals after a comprehensive 6-2, 6-2 defeat of China’s Qu Mingxi. She will play another Chinese player Zijie Ying, the fourth seed in the final.
Daania won the Tep Khunnah Memorial Cup last week and a victory here tomorrow, will also add to her title at the J30 Surabaya earlier this year.
Daania is also through to the semi-finals of the girl’s doubles partnering Singaporean Chanya Ng Kai Ning. Ironically, Daania had beaten Chanya for the singles title here last week.
The top seeded pair eased past the Indian-Singaporean pair of Niyati Hiranandani Bhandari-Kayla Wong 6-1, 6-3 in the quarter-finals. They will play Hanyu Wang-Zijie Yang of China in the semi-finals.
RESULTS
Boys singles quarter-finals: Joachim Mika Gunawan (Ina) [2] Bt Fanyu Zhao (Chn) 6-3, 6-3; Ruochen Gao (Chn) [1] bt Jonathan Roth (Aut) 7-6(5), 6-3; Shin Jaejun (Kor) [4] bt Fedor Evdokimov (AIN) [7] 6-3, 6-1; Bon Hong Koo (Kor) [3] bt Haqim Kamal (Gbr) [8] 6-4, 4-0 retired
Boy’s doubles quarter-finals: Yefeui Song-Haoxuan Xu (Chn) bt Ganuka Fernando-Zachary Sng (Sri-Sgp) walkover; Ruochen Gao-Joachim Mika Gunawan (Chn-Ina) [1] bt Ethan Matthew Koh-Takuto Matsuo (Sgp-Hkg) 6-0, 6-1; Run Ze Shi-Fanyu Zhao (Chn) bt Binh Bao Quan Phan-Rungu Tian (Vie-Chn) 6-4, 6-1; Shin Jaejun-Bon Hong Koo (Kor) [2] bt Kyungone Kim-Jonathan Roth (Kor-Aut) 6-4, 6-1
Girl’s Singles semi-finals: Daania Daniella Hazli (Mas) [1] bt Mingxi Qu (Chn) [8] 6-2, 6-2; Zijie Yang (Chn) [4] bt Ha-An Park (Kor) 7-5, 6-3
Girl’s Doubles Quarter-finals: Ha-An Park-Zican Yang (Kor-Chn) bt Zihan Feng (Chn)-Yishan Xu (Chn) [2] 6-3, 6-4; Hanyu Wang-Zijie Yang (Chn) [3] bt Hannah Giam-Milanesa Briana Susanto (Sgp-Ina) 7-5, 6-1; Daania Daniella Hazli-Kai Ning Chanya Ng (Mas-Sgp) [1] bt Niyati Hiranandani Bhandari-Kayla Wong (Ind-Sgp) 6-1, 6-3; Riya Gangamma Pudiyokkada-Mingxi Qu (Ind-Chn) [4] bt Qingan ChenYouwen Shi (Chn) 6-4, 7-6 (3)
