In Women’s Singles Event at the 2023 European games in Krakow top seeded HAN Yang of Germany moved to the Round of 16 without due alarm. In the Round of 32 match HAN prevailed against Italy’s Giorgia PICCOLIN 4-0 (2 3 1 7).
“I am glad that I could play in the main hall now. The conditions in the training hall are completely different it’s even more humid than here. I am satisfied I played relatively relaxed. I manage to do that much more often than before. In past I was often very tense. I expect a defence-versus-defence match against Linda BERGSTRÖM in the round of 16. That’s not easy but I’m very confident.”
No. 14 seed Natalia BAJOR made homecrowd proud by progressing to the Round of 16 after victory over Sarah DE NUTTE of Luxembourg 4-2 (9 7 -12 -3 6 7). After yesterday’s defeats in women’s and men’s singles as well as mixed double Natalia BAJOR remained the only Poland’s representative.
“The fourth game lasted something like 2 minutes. It was hard for me to regain the focus and rhythm but I managed to come back and emerged victorious in the end. I work with psychologist on daily basis and knew how to come back” said BAJOR who will face European champion Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria in the next round.
In the bottom half of the draw the second seed in Women’s Singles Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria also had a trouble-free match against the 33rd seed Aikaterini TOLIOU of Greece winning 4-0 (5 5 6 7).
“It wasn’t as easy as the result might suggest but I managed to maintain my focus on the game. I hope to continue on the same positive path in the upcoming matches ” stated POLCANOVA.
However not all matches went according to the seedings in the morning session. The 31st seed Solomiya BRATEYKO of Ukraine emerged victorious against the 15th seed Tatiana KUKULKOVA of Slovakia with a score of 4-1 (7 6 10 -7 7).
“I was quite worried coming into this tournament. I couldn’t feel the ball or get used to the table. Everything felt strange to me. Fortunately everything fell into place after yesterday’s matches. I feel comfortable in this venue and I have adjusted well to the conditions. The two matches from yesterday a victory in singles over Charlotte CAREY and a defeat in mixed doubles helped me prepare for today’s match ” said BRATEYKO.
BRATEYKO pointed out a few key moments in the match.
“I expected a much tougher match. Her pimples are very dangerous and I am not very comfortable playing against her style. However everything went smoothly in the first three games. That’s why I started to get a bit worried that they came too easily. Consequently I lost the fourth game but managed to remain calm and focused on the next ball rather than the result ” explained BRATEYKO.
One of the favorites who cruised through the Round of 32 was Bernadette SZOCS of Romania. She defeated Ana TOFANT of Slovenia 3-0 (6 7 7 7).
“I came here with a positive mindset and the outcome of this match proves it. I hope to maintain this mentality because my aim is always to be at the top ” said SZOCS.
