World Championships | 23 Apr 2019

Szandra PERGEL enjoys her game in Budapest

LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF World Championships

 

The opening round of the Women’s Singles Event at the LIEBHERR 2019 ITTF World Championships produces many upsets.

 

Ranked only at the position no. 198 at the World Rankings Sabina SURJAN of Serbia overcame NI Xia Lian of Luxembourg. The team and mixed doubles gold medals in the 1983 World Table Tennis Championships forced young SURJAN who played at Youth Olympic Games last summer, to go full distance, but failed to reach the second round (9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 9-11, 8-11, 11-3, 8-11).

 

“I played against NI three years ago in Novi Sad in the ETTU Cup, and I had no chance at all. Also yesterday Izabela LUPULESKU and I Lost against her and Sarah DE NUTTE in Doubles, so mentally it was difficult for me. Her style is something special and it is very hard to play against he. I had to widen the game and to play with many variations,” said SURJAN.

 

Polina MIKHAILOVA of Russia also faced early exit. World’s no. 49 was beaten by no.130 Kim VERMAAS of Netherlands (11-4, 12-10, 11-13, 11-8, 13-15, 11-7).

 

Romania's Elizabeta SAMARA, the no.17 seed, appeared in control of proceedings against Italy's Chiara COLANTONI, she established a three games to one lead before her most worthy adversary responded to force decider. Totally focused, ELIZABETA Samara dominated the seventh game (4-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-5, 9-11, 7-11, 11-2).

 

"I think I just relaxed after the fourth game, she played well, she put the ball on the table, she took some risks; I'm really too sure." Elizabeta Samara

 

 

“Usually I am not that good against the players with the defensive style of play, but today I was happy with my forehand. I had problems after 3:1 and 8:4 in the fifth game, when I become a little bit nervous. I let Polina took the control and I waited for her mistake. It did not happen. She won that game, so I rebuilt my game again,” said VERMAAS.

 

There were no surprises in host nation favorites record this morning. Szandra PERGEL beat Pauline CHASSELIN of France 4-0 (12-10, 11-6, 11-8, 14-12).

 

“I am so happy that I have opportunity to play in front of the home crowd. It is fantastic experience and I am grateful that Hungarian Association gave us that chance by organizing such wonderful event,” said Szandra.” The opening game against Pauline was very important. I was 9:5 up, then I missed to services and very quickly it was 10:10. After I survived that, everything settled into good rhythm.”

 

Yana NOSKOVA of Russia overcame Giorgia PICCOLIN of Italy in straight games (4-11, 6-11, 7-11, 7-11).

 

“Giorgia is very good player. She plays in Germany, but she trains in France. That is why I know her well. I did not have any problems. I was very focused,” said Yana