Europe Top-16 Cup | 3 Feb 2017

Painful wait, but progress sealed by Sabine WINTER

Women`s 2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup in Antibes, France

 

The evening session on the opening day of the 2017 ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup brought the group stage of the tournament to a close, and for one player in particular the wait for her progress to be confirmed was a lengthy process.

 

With one win to her name heading into the evening’s action, Germany’s Sabine WINTER knew that she would need to be at her best and beat Polina MIKHAILOVA. WINTER held up her end of the bargain but now everything hinged on the outcome of another tie.

 

WINTER was forced to wait until the conclusion of the other group match and when LIU Jia recovered from 0-2 down to beat Barbora BALAZOVA 3-2 the dream of reaching the last eight became a reality for WINTER.

 

“I won 3-0 and okay the first end I was done 4-10 but then I started to play really well and I’m satisfied with my performance. I hope to play well in the next round, perhaps I can win, perhaps not. I have a go and play my game and have some fun”, Sabine WINTER.

 

Another German player to advance is Petrissa SOLJA after she came through her group with maximum points, following up her earlier victories over Tetyana BILENKO and Matilda EKHOLM with a commanding performance against the host nation’s Stephanie LOEUILLETTE.

 

EKHOLM also progresses from Group C after she overcame BILENKO in her final group match in straight games (11-7, 11-8, 11-7) and will have her name included in the draw for the last eight.

 

“It’s always difficult against Tetyana because she’s a good player, but I played very consistently and on the table so I made her miss which was my plan. Usually when I play against defenders I try to wear them out with my spin and today I succeeded. It was a good start with the 3-1 victory in the morning and against Petrissa SOLJA I had some difficulties, but it was overall a good match also so I cannot be too disappointed”, Matilda EKHOLM.