Vireak Poev
Both Cambodian wild cards at the 30th edition of the Tep Khunnah Memorial Cup, an ITF J30 event taking place at the Morodok Techo Tennis Complex, failed to qualify for the main draw.
France based Louis La Planeta, who received a first round bye, was beaten 2-6, 1-6 by China’s Zhu Yunze in the final qualifying match.
Sixteen-year-old Poev Vireak also found the going tough in the final qualifying match as he was beaten 3-6, 3-6 by Singaporean Justin Lie.
Earlier in the first round, Vireak battled through a three-hour encounter to edge out a tiring Nguyen Ngoc Huu of Vietnam 7-5, 3-6, 10-3.
Vireak has shown composure as he overcame an opponent, who made numerous time-out including medical time outs. The delay tactics did not unravel Vireak, who overcame some jittery service games to win the tie.
But, the inexperience and the energy sapping opening match turned out to be a bane for Vireak in the crucial qualification tie against Justin.
QUALIFYING RESULTS
Round One: Zhu Yunze (Chn) bt Jain Vihaan (Ind) 6-2, 6-2; Mahanthesha Shreyanth (Ind) bt Chung Joshua (USA) 6-3, 6-3; Vijay Kumar Varun (Ind) 6-3, 7-5; Vireak Poev (Cam) bt Nguyen Ngoc Huu (Vie) 7-5, 3-6, 10-3; Lie Justin (Sgp) bt Dale Joe (USA) w/o; Kim Kevin (Kor) bt Induru Rishvan Reddy (Ind) 6-1, 6-1; Shaun Tung Hur Kok (Mas) bt Bhuiyan Jawas (Ban) w/o
Round Two: Zhu Yunze (Chn) bt Louis La Planeta (Cam) 6-2, 6-1; ; Mahanthesha Shreyanth (Ind) bt Viya Kumar Varun (Ind) 6-1, 6-3; Lie Justin (Sgp) bt Vireak Poev (Cam) 6-3, 6-3; Shaun Tung Hur Kok (Mas) bt Kim Kevin (Kor) 6-4, 6-3
