2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux February 8-9
Petrissa SOLJA defended her title in Women’s Event at the 2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux. In the final duel between two 25-years old players she beat 17 days older Britt EERLAND of Netherlands 2:4 (11:8 11:6 9:11 5:11 8:11 7:11)
After a shaky start and problems with service SOLJA found herself 4:10 down before she came close to 8:10 but the gap was to wide and Britt sealed the opening game. EERLAND kept the level of the game high in the second set. She controlled the game completely with the good service.
The pendulum swung in the third game. Britt had an advantage but SOLJA got the better grip on the service. With 4:1 on SOLJA’s record at the beginning of the fourth game ERRLAND called for time out. It did not stop Petrissa she was in the winning pace. The game moved from fast service-receive style into the longer rallies and SOLJA leveled the match.
In the nervous wrecking fifth game SOLJA went up 6:1 then she was 6:8 in reverse before finally win the set at 11:8. She was in the driving seat after that and sealed her second final with another gold.
“It started like the last year. I was in reverse 0:2 and I hoped the history will not repeat with me being 0:3 down like last year. It was all about the service game at the beginning. I needed time to adjust to her spins. I did not expect such heavy spins so I missed a lot of balls. She put me under pressure with good fast back forehand and large spin ” said SOLJA.
On her way to the throne SOLJA overcame Margaryta PESOTSKA of Ukraine Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania and Natalia PARTYKA of Poland.
“Those three matches were not difficult as the final. I did not miss any easy ball I was very happy with my game ” said SOLJA.
Recently EERLAND overcame SOLJA in Bundesliga.
“I think that it did not affect my game. She was on the pressure. For me this time it was easier than in the last year’s final. Now I was more relaxed; I already have one title and I enjoyed the game much more ” explained SOLJA.
In the match for third position Margaryta PESOTSKA of Ukraine had a dream start against Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria but no. One seeded player in Montreux managed to recover to level the match at 2:2 and eventually to win it (8:11 9:11 11:7 11:6 11:8 11:5).
“Week ago I was not sure I am going to play here because I was injured but now I am very happy ” said POLCANOVA.
5-8 position
Barbora BALAZOVA Slovakia
NI Xia Lian Luxembourg
HAN Ying Germany
Elizabeta SAMARA Romania
9-16 position
Natalya PARTYKA Poland
Yana NOSKOVA Russia
Hana MATELOVA Czech Republic
Matilda EKHOLM Sweden
Rachel MORET Switzerland
Dora MADARSZ Hungary
Bernadette SZOCS Romania
Polina MIKHAILOVA Russia
