Rita FINS and Patricia MACIEL of Portugal created the biggest upset in the Junior Girls Doubles Event at the STERILGARDA European Youth Championships in Italy. They overcame Lea RAKOVAC of Croatia and Natalia BAJOR of Poland in the full distance final mat
Rita FINS and Patricia MACIEL of Portugal created the biggest upset in the Junior Girls Doubles Event at the STERILGARDA European Youth Championships in Italy. They overcame Lea RAKOVAC of Croatia and Natalia BAJOR of Poland in the full distance final match to clinch the title.
Portugal’s players seized their chance after top seeds MITTELHAM and LEMMER withdrew in the second round. After that they overcame IMRE and NAGYPAL of Hungary and PFEFER and CHASSELIN of France before they reached ultimate stage. In the semis Lea RAKOVAC and Natalia BAJOR beat Bernadett BALINT of Romania and Nicole TROSMAN of Israel in full distance encounter.
“It is first time that we are together so we are still adjusting. However we showed good game ” said BAJOR.
Lea RAKOVAC explained that they never lost they head; despite they were 1:2 in reverse. “We stood with our tactics. I am happy with our receive game. Also Nicol could not find the answer for my service. The nerves played important role as well. Even when they had advantage they were very nervous. On the other side we stayed calm.”
In the same round Portugal’s Rita FINS and Patricia MACIEL prevailed against French pairings Laura PFEFER and Pauline CHASSELIN. “We were not favorites so I guess we surprised our adversary ” said FINS.
But the favorites recovered after being 2:1 down. “Then we realized that we could win. We were afraid a little ” said MACIEL.
Final – Rita FINS and Patricia MACIEL of Portugal – Lea RAKOVAC Natalia BAJOR Croatia Poland 3:2 (-8 10 -5 7 7). Semifinals: Rita FINS and Patricia MACIEL of Portugal – Laura PFEFER Pauline CHASSELIN France 3:2 (-5 8 8 -4 11); Bernadett BALINT of Nicole TROSMAN Romania Israel – Lea RAKOVAC Natalia BAJOR Croatia Poland 2:3 (-3 9 11 -6 -2)
