STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Guimaraes
In the second Round of the Junior Girls Singles Event at the STAG 2017 European Youth Championships in Guimaraes on her first exit to the table top seeded Adina DIACONU of Romania easily prevailed against Martina NINO of Italy (3 4 5 10). In the second match she repeated the result. Reigning Junior Girls Singles Champion overcame DENG Simeng of Azerbaijan (6 2 10 11).
On the lower half of the draw Maria TAILAKOVA of Russia showed no mercy against Katarina STRAZAR of Slovenia (4 7 5 5) before she overcame Andrea PAVLOVIC of Croatia (10 8 4 6).
For other member of the Russia’s gold winning team it was different scenario. Tijana JOKIC of Serbia beat Daria SHANDRINA of Russia.
“When I saw the draw I was so angry. I am good against players with aggressive style and I could not believe I will have to play against defense again. I promised myself I would not let her beat me twice. I played point for point; I did not let the one I lost affect my confidence and focus. Eventually I prevailed “ said JOKIC who failed to repeat the success in the next round against Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania (6 7 8 5).
For Anastasia KOLISH it was another easy win in the second round. She overcame Slovenia’s Aleksandra VOVK (-14 7 6 5 8). However in next stage she needed six games to overcame Julia SLAYAK of Poland (10 5 11 -11 -6 6).
“The opening game was very close – 50:50. I made a lot of mistakes because of lack of focus that is why I lost it. After that I was much determent. My tactics was to short the service and to attack to the middle when the opportunity occurs. Most of the time it was successful ” said KOLISH after victory over VOVK.
In the second Round of the Cadet Girls Singles Event Ekaterina ZIRONOVA added another straight games victory to her record. She beat Emilija RILSKYTE of Lithuania (9 6 4 7) whilst at the bottom of the draw Elena ZAHARIA of Romania overcame Viola PHAN of Hungary in same impressive style (5 4 8 6). After a fierce battle top seeded ZIRONOVA lost against Anastasia BONDAREVA of Germany in six games (10 -10 7 -8 12 10).
ZIRONOVA is safely through to the Round of 16 in cadet Girls Doubles Event. With Elizabeta ABRAAMIAN she overcame Carina ENGLUND and Kaarina SAARIALHO of Finland (1 5 3). Seeded no. two Jamila LAURENTI and Natalia BRINZA overcame Denisa URITU and Ioana SINGEORZAN of Romania (10 6 4).
