European Championships | 21 Sep 2018

NI and DE NUTTE avenged their defeat in Budapest

LIEBHERR 2018 ITTF European Championships

 

The bronze medal winners at European and World Championships in 2015, LI Jie of Netherlands and LI Qian of Poland showed very convincing performance in the Round of 16 of Women’s Doubles at the LIEBHERR 2018 European Championships.

 

They overcame Spanish representatives Maria XIAO and Galia DVORAK in straight games (3, 5, 7, 3).

 

“We had a difficult match against Ukraine’s Ganna GAPONOVA and Tetyana BILENKO yesterday, but it proved useful. After the match with the players with defensive style of play it was easier for us today,” said LI Jie.

 

Tomorow they will meet NI Xia Lian and Sarah DE NUTTE who overcame Szandra PERGEL and Dora MADARASZ (-5, 6, 3, 9, -5, 9).

 

“We avenged our defeat in quarterfinal from the same pairings from two years ago. We were denied of medal, I am sure, because of controversy. At 9:8 we lost the point undeservedly and that cost us the match. I feel, after this victory the justice was served,” said NI.

 

Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania has a new doubles partner, Bernadette SZOCS and they reached the quarters after victory over LIU Jia and Amelie SOLJA (4, 6, 8, -9, 14).

 

“LIU is very experienced player and it is always difficult to play against her, but Bernadette and I understand each other very well. We have a good connection,” said SAMARA.

 

SAMARA and SZOCS will play against Nina MITTELHAM and Kristin LANG of Germany in the quarterfinal. German pairings overcame YU Fu and SHJAO Jieni of Portugal today (8, -7, -9, -7, 9, -9). Adina DIACONU and Irina CIOBANU of Romania will meet Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria and Yana NOSKOVA of Russia.