European Olympic Singles Qualification | 23 Apr 2021
Top seeded players suffered defeats on their first exit to the tables in Guimaraes
Photo: Rita TABORDA, courtesy PTTA
On the third day of the play at the European Olympic Singles Qualification tournament in Portugal's city of Guimaraes, top four seeds in each Men's and Women's Event felt the heat for a first time at the tournament. After the Round of 16 only four reached the quarterfinal.
In Men's Singles Event top seeded player Daniel HABESOHN of Austria will have to go for the second chance tomorrow. Today, it was Rares SIPOS of Romania who beat the odds and prevailed in five games (-11, 9,8, 6, 8).
“Daniel had a much better start. He had the control at the beginning with his service game. It took time before I managed to find the game for him. I needed to calm down and to try to ease the pressure,” said SIPOS.
Another favorite, no. three seed Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece followed HABESOHN's fate. Contrary to expectations, Alvaro ROBLES of Spain moved to quarters after seven games thriller (-2, 9, -7, 9, -9, 10, 6).
“GIONIS is amazing player. Fantastic defender...I thought I was well prepared for his play, but he managed to surprise me. His style is so unique, it is difficult to find the tactics against the player with so many variations in his game. I kept on fighting and I think at the end it was my stamina and endurance that pushed me to the next round,” said ROBLES.
No. two seed Pavel SIRUCEK of Czech Republic was at the top of his game in the duel against Eric GLOD of Luxembourg (13, 5, 6, -6, 10), as well as KOU Lei of Slovakia who overcame Cedric NUYTNICK of Belgium in straight games (12, 8, 8, 12).
In Women's Singles Event Prithika PAVADE of France still shines. 16-years old player showed no fear in the duel against top seeded Hana MATELOVA of Czech Republic (-7, 5, 10, 7, -7, 9).
“I am not afraid of experienced players. It is my tactics that is only mater. I only play my game and I think only how to put the ball on the table,” said PAVADE who is listed at the position no. 34 at the list of seedings.
Another French player proved too strong for the favorite. No. two seed Barbora BALAZOVA of Slovakia could not halted progress of YUAN Jia Nan of France (16, -10, 8, 9, -7, 9). Yana NOSKOVA of Russia is safely through the quarterfinal after victory over Daria TRIGOLOS (8, 7, 7, 6).
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