Bun Kenny (left) and Ho Sreynoch remain unbeaten in the Decathlon Open Series. Photo supplied
Cambodian No1 Bun Kenny won the fourth edition of the men’s Decathlon Open Series on Saturday, downing Phalkun Mam in straight sets to remain unbeaten in the competition.
Kenny, coming off a quarterfinal finish in one of Thailand’s biggest open tournaments, the Singha Classic in Bangkok, remains undefeated in the Decathlon series, winning in June, July and now in August after missing the first event in May.
Ho Sreynoch, also undefeated so far, saw off the young Chhieu Apsara 6-1, 6-1 to take the women’s event for the fourth time in a row.
“Though Ho has won all four Decathlon titles so far, we have seen much improvement in Chhieu, who took the second set to a tiebreak last month.
“Though the score was one-sided in Saturday’s final, Chhieu is on the rise improvement-wise, but on Saturday Ho was much too strong and too consistent for her younger opponent,” said Tennis Cambodia technical director Phalkun.
In the fourth month since the competition was first held, the men’s draw attracted 32 players.
Eight players made up the women’s draw, forming a two-pool round robin of four, with the winner of Pool A crossing to play the runner-up of Pool B and vice-versa in the semis.
The men’s side saw similar faces and most of the top seeds going through to the semis, where Phalkun defeated Tep Timothy 6-4, 7-5, and Kenny beat Our Sarith 6-0, 6-1.
Kenny saw off Phalkun 6-2, 7-5 in the final.
In the women’s semis, Srey-noch defeated Van Chan Nalin 6-1, 6-1, while Apsara beat Zsuzsa Barta 6-1, 6-1.
‘Level will continue to rise’
Tennis Cambodia secretary-general Tep said the Decathlon Open Series was improving the standard of Cambodian tennis.
“Though we are seeing the same winners in both categories, there is much improvement in all the players because of the increased competition possible through this series.
“The gap will close and the overall level will continue to rise among the participants of the events.
“Thanks to Decathlon Cambodia, Pontoon nightclub, Pharmacie de la Gare and the Cambodian Country Club for believing in our cause and this series. Competition is truly an important aspect of the game and also in developing it,” Rithivit said after the completion of Saturday’s action.
