European Championships | 3 Feb 2017

Andreea DRAGOMAN showed no mercy

2017 STAG European Under 21 Championships

 

Four top seeds in Women’s Singles event at the 2017 STAG European Under 21 Championships concluded day two of the play unbeaten. Second phase of the Group stage, gave last 16 best players who will continue tomorrow battles in the main draw. Top seeded Adina DIACONU of Romania, Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania, WAN Yuan of Germany and Natalia BAJOR of Poland showed no mercy today.

 

Tin Tin HO showed high level of performance on the opening day of the Championships, and today she went further. Although the victory over Anna WEGRYZIN of Poland (11-4, 11-4, 11-3, 11-5) was expected, in next round she created the upset by beating the no. two seed Nina MITTELHAM (3-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11- 6, 11-8, 7-11, 7-11).

 

“In two opening game I could control the match with the good service game, but after that Nina used to it and I had to change the style. I much aggressive, which is not my usual tactics,” said Tin Tin.

 

After being in reverse two games to three, what gave you strength to recover?

 

“I think I had much more faith in my game and I was very confident despite the result.”

 

Nina obviously was not on the top of her game since she withdrew in the last round due the injury. Tin Tin HO beat Tatiana KUKULOVA in straight games in the final match of the day to seal the top position and place in Top 16. From the same group KUKULOVA progressed with her.

 

No. one seed Adina DIACONU of Romania prevented any upsets. She beat Eline LOYERN of Belgium in the opening round (5-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-9, 11-7), before she overcame Ekaterina GUSEVA of Russia (7-11, 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 11-4).

 

“Unlike my usual style and very bad start of almost each tournament, in Sochi everything went smoothly. I feel good, I play good and I am full of confidence,” said Adina. “Against GUSEVA I lost the opening game, but immediately I improved my service game to win next. Maybe at 2:2 and 8:8 in fifth was the turning point. After that I was in complete control,” said Adina.

 

In the last round in seven games duel she overcame Charlotte CAREY and progressed to the knock out phase from the top spot. GUSEVA is second.

 

Chantal MANTZ, no. three seed, on her opening day at he tournament lost against Dorina REBRNJAK of Croatia (11-9, 11-3, 11-13, 2-11, 13-15, 11-5, 9-11), but after she wormed up, she needed two games less to overcame XU Xuan of Spain (11-3, 7-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-2).

 

“For me every match is important, I am always trying to give my best,” said MANTZ.

 

She progressed to the third phase, but from the second spot. ZHANG Xuan Xu of Spain is at the top.

 

Natalia BAJOR of Poland beat Tilda JOHANSSON of Sweden (11-2, 11-8, 11-4, 11-7), Alina NIKITCHANKA of Belarus (10-12, 11-6, 11-2, 11-9, 11-4) and Maria MALANINA of Russia (10-12, 11-3, 8-11, 12-10, 11-7, 11-9) to reserve the top place in the group Alina is second.

 

“I came here with the hope I can win the medal,” said BAJOR.

 

Tilda inflicted more pain in the harts of the national team supporters by beating Maria MALANINA of Russia in the second round.

 

Zdena BLASKOVA of Czech Republic was required to play the first phase of the tournament, but she found her way through the Round of 16 from the top spot. She overcame Nicole TROSMAN of Israel (13-11, 9-11, 5-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-7), but more importantly she overcame no. 6 seed Daria TRIGOLOS of Belarus (7-11, 9-11, 11-4, 7-11, 9-11), and in the last round Lisa LUNG of Belgium (12-10, 11-7, 9-11, 3-11, 12-108-11, 11-7). Lisa still managed to reach Top 16 from the second spot.

 

“Opening game was very difficult, I had to change a lot in my game to stay in the game in third as well, “ said BLASKOVA, who admitted she is delighted because, in Sochi she saw for a first time snow at the beach.

 

Andrea DRAGOMAN of Romania showed impressing performance today. She beat Karolin MYNAROVA of Czech republic (11-3, 11-6, 11-6, 11-5), Kim VERMAAS of Netherlands (11-3, 8-11, 11-2, 10-12, 11-8, 11-7) and Klara CAKOL of Croatia (11-4, 11-9, 14-16, 11-7, 11-4). CAKOL progressed as second.

“I think that the competition here is very strong and I do not expect easy ride in next two days,” said DRAGOMAN.

Maria TAYLAKOVA of Russia will give the opportunity to the spectators to cheer tomorrow, since she progressed to the round of 16 from the top spot today. She accounted for Kristyna STEFCOVA of Czech Republic (11-5, 11-9, 11-5, 11-8), Hanna PATSEYEVA of Belarus (9-11, 15-13, 15-13, 6-11, 7-11, 11-5, 12-14), and Veronika MOSCONI of Italy (6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 15-17, 116-6, 11-4). With only one defeat, Italian representative crate the upset and reached the third day of the play.

 

WAN Yuan of Germany needed full seven games to beat Andrea PAVLOVIC of Croatia (11-4, 9-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8) in the second round.

 

“PAVLOVIC is a very dangerous player, that is why I was so nervous. I have the strong service game, but it is also very difficult to return her service. It was hard to control the game.”

 

However victories against Maria YOVKOVA of Bulgaria and Ilka DOVAL of Norway came much easier. Andrea booked second position.