European Olympic Singles Qualification | 23 Apr 2021

Prithika PAVADE keeps the French flag high in Guimaraes

The opening round of the main draw at the European Olympic Singles Qualification in the Women's Event showed that few European youngsters are coming up. Among them most certainly is16-years old Prithika PAVADE of France who managed to reach the Round of 16 after very mature performance against Mie SKOV of Denmark. 19 years older adversary from Denmark put PAVADE on serious test with her service game, but French player prevailed (11:7, 10:12, 11:8, 11:4, 9:11, 11:4).

“She is very experienced player and whatever I did I was struggling to finish the points. She never gave up. I had a problem with the return of the service and when that part improved I managed to slow down the game. SKOV is playing with great speed and I needed to slow her down in order to win,” said PAVADE.

PAVADE will play against the top seeded player in the Event, Hana MATELOVA of Czech Republic for the place in the Round of 8.

Giorgia PICCOLIN of Italy also faced 19 years older Ruta PASKAUSKIENE. The experience went on Ruta's account but the difference in rankings works in favor of younger player, so as the result at the end 4:0 (11:7, 11:7, 11:9, 11:8).

“Ruta is well known player and her experience made my job very difficult. I constantly changed the pace of the game, I was searching for the best tactics,” said PICCOLIN.

The match between Swede Christina KALLBERG and Sabina SURJAN of Serbia, after a lot of ups and downs ended in favor of KALLBERG (11:7, 5:11, 7:11, 11:8, 11:5, 11:7).

“I was 2:1 in reverse when I realised I had to change something. I started to play much more aggressive and took the control of the match. My forehand worked quite well and it helped a lot,” said KALLBERG.

Daria TRIGOLOS of Belarus overcame Galia DVORAK of Spain (11:9, 12:10, 9:11, 11:7, 9:11, 11:8).

“I struggled to keep the focus. At some point I was playing very well, but then I stated to think about the result and I felt the pressure. It was difficult to keep the pace,” explained Daria.

In the Men's Singles Event the opening round of the main draw brought thrilling duel between Lubomir PISTEJ of Slovakia and Romania's Ovidiu IONESCU. No. six seed IONESCU forced no.9 at the tournament PISTEJ to go full distance, but failed to secure the win (11:8, 5:11, 10;12, 4:11, 11:6, 11:8, 11:8).

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