The opening day of the Women’s Singles main draw at the European Championships in Ljubljana delivered drama, major upsets and remarkable comebacks. Shuohan MEN of the Netherlands produced one of the biggest results of the day, defeating Spain’s Maria XIAO in a seven-game thriller, while Türkiye’s Ece HARAC recovered from 1-3 down to eliminate Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA.
MEN prevailed 4-3 (14-12, 9-11, 8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 15-13) in a contest that went right to the wire. After taking the opening game, the Dutch player lost three consecutive games and found herself facing elimination. However, she fought back to level the match before holding her nerve in a dramatic deciding game, which she eventually won 15-13.
HARAC produced an equally impressive comeback against the vastly experienced SAMARA, winning 4-3 (9-11, 11-7, 13-15, 5-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-7). The Turkish player admitted that the emotional challenge was particularly difficult because of her close relationship with her opponent.
“We know each other very well because she’s my teammate in the league, and she’s also like a big sister to me. At 3-1 down, I just told myself to enjoy the match and fight for every point. That’s exactly what I did, and I managed to win,” said HARAC.
The turning point came when she found a better answer to SAMARA’s service.
“I was struggling a little with her serves at the beginning, but as the match progressed, I adapted better and better. Once I started receiving more effectively, I gained confidence, and I think that helped me a lot.”
Slovenian celebrations as TOFANT and TOKIC advance
The home crowd at Arena Stožice had plenty to celebrate as Ana TOFANT and Sara TOKIC both progressed to the Round of 32.
TOFANT produced one of the finest victories of her career, defeating Portugal’s experienced Fu YU 4-1 (11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8, 11-8).
“Definitely one of the biggest wins of my career. The only one that comes close was when I beat Bernadette SZOCS in the Italian league back in March. Even then, I could hardly believe what was happening. I don’t think I’ll be falling asleep anytime soon tonight. It’ll probably take me a day or two, maybe even a week, to fully realise what I’ve done and who I’ve beaten today,” said TOFANT.
Despite her impressive performance, the Slovenian admitted that doubts briefly appeared.
“I only started having some doubts towards the end of the third game and at the start of the fourth because I felt I could have been 3-0 up. The Portuguese player played smartly, but I knew I was feeling the ball well, so I had to make the most of that and take my chances.”
TOFANT explained that her determination to play without hesitation ultimately paid off.
“Before the match, I’d promised myself I wouldn’t hesitate. I went for it at the end of the second game, but it didn’t pay off. I was a bit frustrated because I could perhaps have played it a little safer. Then, in the fourth game, I fell behind but managed to catch her and move ahead. I realised I was still in front, which gave me a real boost. From there, I just focused on one point at a time and kept going until the end.”
TOKIC also gave the Slovenian supporters reason to cheer with a 4-1 victory over Türkiye’s Sibel ALTINKAYA (14-12, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-5).
“I was a little nervous at the start. There was some pressure playing in front of the home crowd, even though they were cheering me on, which was really nice. I think I was mentally stronger today. I took it point by point and never gave up, even when we were 1-1 in games and I was 5-2 down. I managed to turn it around and take a 7-5 lead. I stayed really strong mentally and felt I handled the match well,” said TOKIC.
POLCANOVA and WINTER make confident starts
Defending champion Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria began her title defence with a 4-0 victory over Italy’s Nicole ARLIA (12-10, 12-10, 11-4, 11-8), despite arriving in Ljubljana after suffering from illness.
“I think I played quite well today. I had the flu a couple of days ago, and at first I was a little disappointed because I wasn’t feeling very well. But once the match started, the adrenaline helped, and I felt okay. I’m just trying to do my best,” explained POLCANOVA.
The Austrian highlighted the importance of the opening two games, particularly the second, in which she recovered from 8-10 down.
“She’s a very fast player, so I had to disrupt her rhythm a little. I think the first two games were really important, especially the second one, when I was 8-10 down. Most of the time, I felt I was really in the zone and able to concentrate well. I think that was also the key.”
Top seed Sabine WINTER of Germany was equally convincing, defeating Veronika KOTSIUR 4-0 (11-5, 11-5, 11-7, 11-8).
“I didn’t know my opponent before, but I managed to find a video of her to help me prepare. I really enjoyed today’s match. I moved well, and there were lots of good rallies. Now I’m focusing on tomorrow, starting with the doubles match alongside Ying, which takes place before my singles match,” said WINTER.
Her German teammate Ying HAN also advanced without dropping a game, overcoming Poland’s Katarzyna WEGRZYN 4-0 (11-3, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6).
“I had to work hard for my win, even though it was 4-0. We know each other very well from the Polish league and have played against each other many times. She had nothing to lose, and it was a good match. I think I’m gradually finding my rhythm in the Singles competition. Today’s match definitely helped me with that,” said HAN.
SZOCS recovers as YUAN and DE NUTTE progress
Romania’s Bernadette SZOCS recovered from losing the opening game against Spain’s Sofia ZHANG to secure a 4-1 victory (7-11, 11-4, 11-3, 11-7, 11-8).
“It was a very difficult match against Sofia ZHANG. I prepared very well because I knew how dangerous she could be, and I had to work on several tactics against her. I’m very proud of myself because, even after losing the first game, I stayed positive and didn’t get angry at all. When I returned to the table, I told myself it was 0-0 and that the match was starting again,” said SZOCS.
The Romanian explained that a tactical adjustment helped her take control.
“I had to stay closer to the table because I had moved a little too far back, and she was smashing very well. My coach told me to stay close to the table even when she was smashing, because I was playing well and had nothing to lose. I listened to him, and in the next two games I felt very confident.”
SZOCS had already enjoyed success in Mixed Doubles and was delighted with the medal secured alongside her partner.
“It’s amazing, especially in Mixed Doubles. I’m so proud of us. We did it! It was our dream to win a medal because this is the first time we are playing together at the European Championships. We complement each other very well, and we have already played some amazing tournaments together. I knew we had a big chance to win a medal, even though we had a very difficult draw.”
France’s Jia Nan YUAN made an impressive start with a 4-0 victory over Croatia’s Dora COSIC (11-3, 11-9, 11-8, 11-6).
“I had never played against her before, so today I watched some videos to prepare. I knew she was powerful on both sides and could be dangerous. For me, the important thing was to play my normal game, stay focused on every point and get through the first round,” said YUAN.
Luxembourg’s Sarah DE NUTTE also advanced in straight games, defeating Serbia’s Reka BEZEG 4-0 (11-4, 11-6, 11-7, 12-10).
“I think the key was my focus. I was really concentrated from the beginning until the end, and tactically I played well. I had never played against her before, so I watched some videos yesterday to prepare. I think I managed the crucial moments well, especially in the last game. I was a little behind, but at 9-9 I played some good points, so I’m very happy with this victory.”
DE NUTTE revealed that her preparation had been affected by a physical problem.
“Last week I had some shoulder pain, so I couldn’t practise as much as I wanted. However, I played quite well in both Doubles and Mixed Doubles, and now I’m also satisfied with my level in Singles.”
GROFOVA survives thriller as ABRAAMIAN battles through
Czech player Karin GROFOVA produced another dramatic victory, defeating Serbia’s Izabela LUPULESKU 4-3 (10-12, 12-10, 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 6-11, 11-7).
After leading 3-1, GROFOVA saw her advantage disappear before finding the strength to prevail in the deciding game.
“I don’t even know if I can believe it. I felt good during the match and just took it one point at a time. I was leading 3-1, but then I made more mistakes in the next two games. I hope my husband will forgive me again for coming home a day later than planned. I’m sending a big kiss to him and my son. Above all, I just want to enjoy the second round. I’ll be facing Poland’s BAJOR, who is truly a world-class player,” said GROFOVA.
Elizabet ABRAAMIAN also came through a seven-game contest, overcoming Italy’s Giorgia PICCOLIN 4-3 (11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-8).
“It was definitely a match with a lot of ups and downs. It might sound simple, but the key was my concentration. I often have this problem where I play really well for two or three games, and then suddenly I stop. I start thinking too much and feel that I have to change something, even though everything is already working. Sometimes I’m my own worst enemy, and that’s something I’m working on,” said ABRAAMIAN.
She also found humour in her fluctuating performance.
“In one game, I played amazingly well, almost like Sun Yingxia! It might sound like a big comparison, but I really enjoyed the way I played. Then, in the next game, I played very badly, missed easy balls and started getting angry. I need to work on maintaining my focus and staying calm. Maybe I just want to win so much that it affects me.”
Birthday joy for DIACONU
Romania’s Adina DIACONU celebrated her birthday in memorable fashion, defeating Sweden’s Christina KALLBERG 4-3 (11-4, 11-5, 9-11, 8-11, 14-12, 8-11, 11-7).
“I know Stina very well. She’s a very good player and has been playing really well recently. We both played in the French League and have faced each other many times. Sometimes I win, sometimes she wins. But today I’m especially happy because it’s my birthday, so I wanted to give myself a present, and it worked out very well!”
DIACONU admitted that KALLBERG’s tactical changes made the contest difficult after she had taken a 2-0 lead.
“She changed a few things, and I needed some time to adapt. That’s also why I enjoy playing against her. We always have good matches, and I really enjoy the challenge.”
The Romanian, who progressed through the group stage, was pleased to continue her Singles campaign despite disappointment in Doubles.
“I’m very disappointed that we lost in Doubles today, but I’ll keep focusing on Singles. I really like Slovenia. I’ve always played well here, including at WTT tournaments.”
Poland’s Natalia BAJOR defeated Belgium’s J. H. VAN 4-0, while Monaco’s Xiaoxin YANG overcame Poland’s Anna BRZYSKA 4-1.
Germany’s Annett KAUFMANN beat Mariia TAILAKOVA 4-1, and Nina MITTELHAM defeated Slovakia’s Ema LABOSOVA 4-0.
Ukraine’s Margaryta PESOTSKA recorded a 4-0 victory over Romania’s Ioana SINGEORZAN, while Portugal’s Jieni SHAO defeated Norway’s Martine TOFTAKER by the same margin.
France’s Nina GUO ZHENG overcame Croatia’s Ivana MALOBABIC 4-1, while Slovakia’s Tatiana KUKULKOVA defeated Germany’s Franziska SCHREINER 4-2.
Romania’s Andreea DRAGOMAN advanced with a 4-0 victory over Austria’s Nina SKERBINZ, while Switzerland’s Rachel MORET defeated Lithuania’s Kornelija RILISKYTE 4-2.
Croatia’s Lea RAKOVAC beat Ukraine’s Anastasiia DYMYTRENKO 4-2 to progress to the next round. Alexia NODIN recovered from 1-3 down to defeat Sabina SURJAN 4-3, winning the deciding game 11-3.
Elena ZAHARIA also produced a remarkable comeback from 1-3 down against Tin-Tin HO, taking the final three games 12-10, 11-9, 11-6.
Xia Lian NI advanced with a 4-2 victory over Charlotte LUTZ, while Veronika MATIUNINA defeated Maria BERZOSA in four close games, including a 14-12 finish.
