European Under 21 Championships
The highest ranked player in the qualification stage of the Women’s Event at the European Under 21 Championships Prithika PAVADE of France successfully concluded first stage of the Event. The opening day of the competition in Croatia’a town of Varazdin was not very difficult for the favorites.
In impressive style PAVADE overcame Yuki TSUTSUI of Germany (11:5 11:8 6:11 11:4 11:8) and Alma ROOSE of Sweden (11:13 11:6 11:7 11:7 12:10) to book first place in the Group. TSUTSUI also reached the next stage . She overcame ROOSE after seven games close fight for second position (12:14 11:9 11:7 10:12 11:9 9:11 11:9).
However another French player the leading name in Group 3 Leili MOSTAFAVI had more difficult journey on the first day. She beat Nikita PETROVOVA of Czech Republic (8:11 11:9 12:10 11:9 11:6) but lost to Sophia KLEE of Germany (7:11 13:11 11:13 8:11 5;11). She had to settle with the second position whilst Germany’s player progressed to the next stage unbeaten. KLEE overcame PETROVOVA in straight games (7:11 8:11 3:11 10:12).
It was the similar case scenario in Group 2 where no. one seed in the group Natalia GRIGELOVA of Slovakia lost to no. 3 seed Solomiya BRATEYKO of Ukraine (11:4 8:11 13:11 6:11 4:11 1:11). She finished the day as second at the standings whilst BRATEYKO secured top position after victory over Raquel MARTINS of Portugal (3:11 7:11 7:11 6:11).
There was no surprises in the store for host nation representative Andrea PAVLOVIC. Top seed in Group 6 recorded two straight games victory over Ece HARAC of Turkey (11:9 11:5 11:7 11:5) and Marina NIGUEZ of Spain (11:3 11:8 11:2 11:4). She continued in same pace and overcame Vera VOLKOVA of Belarus in four games (11:7 11:5 11:5 11:3). After first day of play in singles PAVLOVIC remained unbeaten since last Friday – she clinched the title of Croatian championships last week in Varazdin.
“I love to play in front of my crowd; I do not feel the pressure. I am not under pressure of making big result here I just go one match in the time ” said PAVLOVIC.
Gabriela STEPANOVA of Czech Republic upset the rankings and beat Slovakia’s Nikoleta PUCHOVANOVA to reach the second stage (12:10 10:12 9:11 12:10 8:11 12:10 9:11). Ozge YILMAZ of Turkey finished at the top position at the standings. She overcame Marta VUKELIC of Croatia (14:12 14:12 8:11 11:9 4:11 11:9) PUCHOVANOVA (9:11 9:11 6:11 10:12) and STEPANOVA (11:7 11:5 11:6 9:11 12:14 11:9).
Leading name in the Group 8 Orsolya FEHER inflicted the pain in the hearts of the host nation supporters by beating Hana ARAPOVIC in straight games (11:6 11:9 11:6 11:8) but she could not stop European Champion in Juniors Singles from Ostrava Anna WEGRZYN of Poland (7:11 6:11 6:11 4:11). Anna also beat Rebekka CARLSEN of Norway in five games (8:11 11:4 11:8 11:9 11:8) and ARAPOVIC (8:11 11:8 11:9 l 11:4 11:7).
At the top of the Group 9 everything went according to seedings. Tania PLAIAN of Romania overcame Alba FERNANDEZ of Spain (11:6 11:5 11:6 13:11) and Christina KALLBERG of Sweden (1:5 5:11 11:5 11:4 11:9). KALLBERG overcame Franziska SCHREINER of Germany in thrilling seven games (6:11 11;7 4:11 11:5 9:11 11:7 11:6). SCHREINER suffered by the hands of PLAIAN (11:4 5:11 8:11 11:8 11:8 11:8).
Julia SLAZAK of Poland upset the rankings and overcame Camille LUTZ of France (11:5 8:11 6:11 5:11 3:11). She remained unbeaten in all three rounds.
In Group 11 Katarzyna WEGRZYN of Poland overcame Darya KISEL of Belarus (11:6 11:9 11:7 11:5). Katarina STRAZAR of Slovenia beat Elisavet TERPOU of Greece (10:12 2:11 8:11 11:9 7:11) before Greek representative withdrew due the injury. Katarina also overcame KISEL (5:11 14:16 12:110 11:7 1:11 9:11).
Elena ZAHARIA of Romania showed no mercy today. She overcame Tatsiana CHAKAVAYA of Belarus (11:7 11:4 11:7 11:3) Ema LOBOSOVA of Slovakia (11:9 11:9 11:5 11:3) and Denise PAYET of England (11;6 11:6 11:6 11:6).
Results here
General information here
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