International Events | 11 Jun 2021

Elena ZAHARIA triumphs in Havirov with Under-17 and Under 19 titles

Romania's Elena ZAHARIA clinched two titles at the WTT Youth Contender Havirov. European champion in Cadet Singles Event from 2019 beat all adversaries at the Under-17 and Under 19 Event in Czech Republic.

In Under 19 Event ZAHARIA overcame Ukraine's Anastasiya DYMYTRENKO in four games (7, 12, -7, 10). Alina VYDRUCHENKO of Ukraine and Jamila LAURENTI of Italy were halted in semis.

In Under-17 event ZAHARIA, 11th in the ITTF Youth Rankings, recorded 3-1 victory over Germany's Annett KAUFMANN (11-6, 11-6, 7-11, 11-2), world ranked 40th. Nicole ARILA of Italy and Naomi PRANJOVIC of Germany won bronze.

“I feel really good. I lost the final of the last tournament in Portugal, so I’m really proud of myself that I could win this time,” said Elena ZAHARIA.

Unstoppable last month in Vila Real, Annett KAUFMANN has been awarded her second WTT Youth Series title in the Under-15 Girls’ Singles category. World-ranked 5th in the Under-15, KAUFMANN overcame French player Agathe Anne AVEZOU in a one-sided final (11-2, 11-6, 11-5). Clea De STOPPELEIRE of France and her compatriot Gaetane BLED shared third position.

Previously Leana HOCHART took home France’s first-ever WTT Youth Series title with her undefeated run in the Under-13 Girls’ Singles event. In all-French final she overcame Gaetane BLED (11-9, 11-7, 8-11, 4-11, 11-5). Czech Republic’s Veronika POLAKOVA and Austria's Anubis PANHOLZER were halted in the semi finals.

Diana KOLIENNIKOVA was the first player to clinch a title in Havirov with the competitor from Ukraine standing atop the Under-11 Girls’ Singles podium. She overcame Germany’s Josephina NEUMANN, ranked 5th in the Youth Rankings (11-8, 11-9, 2-11, 12-14, 11-6) in the final. Simona HOLUBOVA of Czech Republic and Diana KOLEINNIKOVA of Ukraine lost one round earlier