Europe Top-16 Cup | 5 Feb 2016

Elizabeta SAMARA ended the drought

ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar

 

One year ago in Baku at the NN Table Tennis Club 2015 ITTF-Europe Top 16, Romania’s Elizabeta SAMARA, the third seed, lost all three matches in her Group. One of the players who beat her was Polina MIKHAILOVA. This year Elizabeta SAMARA finally ended the drought at the ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Gondomar. After losing earlier this morning against POLCANOVA, in the second round, in the full distance duel she beat Polina MIKHAILOVA of Russia. The emotions after the victory overwhelmed her, so she burst into tars after the match.

 

POLCANOVA repeated her earlier success and overcame Leila OLIVIERA 3:2 (13-11, 8-11, 11-6, 8-11,11-8).

 

In the second round NI Xialian of Luxembourg beat former European Champion Victoria PAVLOVICH of Belarus in straight games 3:0 (13-11, 11-5, 11-3). HU Melek of Turkey prevailed against Sabine WINTER of Germany in another thrilling encounter that went full distance 3:2 (9-11, 4-11, 11-8, 11-8,12-10).

 

After suffered defeat in the opening match against Georgina POTA of Hungary WU JIaduo recovered to win the duel against Yana NOSKOVA of Russia 3:0 (11-8, 11-7, 11-6).

 

“I was injured during my match in France on Tuesday. I still feel the pain in my leg, so I needed to take some painkillers. It was difficult for me to play in the morning, but for the second round match I felt much better. I just go match after match, trying not to thing much about what is coming next,” said WU.

 

SHEN Yanfei overcame Georgina POTA of Hungary on her second arrival to the table today, but like in the first round, she had to go full distance 2:3 (9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 6-11,5-11).