European Championships | 13 Oct 2013

WINTER and SOLJA clinched Doubles title

In all-German final of the Women’s Doubles Event LIEBHERR European Championships Petrissa SOLJA and Sabine WINTER of Germany beat Zhenqi BARTHEL and SHAN Xiaona. It is second gold for German girls who already won title in Women’s Team’s Event. In the semi

In all-German final of the Women’s Doubles Event LIEBHERR European Championships Petrissa SOLJA and Sabine WINTER of Germany beat Zhenqi BARTHEL and SHAN Xiaona. It is second gold for German girls who already won title in Women’s Team’s Event. In the semi final day earlier SOLJA and WINTER overcame Galia DVORAK of Spain and Matilda EKHOLM of Sweden, whilst Sara RAMIREZ and SHEN Yanfei of Spain suffered by the hands of BARTHEL and SHAN.

Before Austria, in 2012 SOLJA and WINTER reached the Round of 16 at the European Championships, whilst BARTHEL and SHAN never played together at the Continental gathering. However, it was BARTHEL and SHAN who took early initiative and won two opening games. “It was hard match, but even after they made advantage I was not scared. It happened before. At the German national Championships they had even bigger advantage, but we eventually won the title. Sabine told me to fight and I listened,” said Petrisa SOLJA with the big smile. Between two finals girls had few challenging moments.

“For me the hardest part was the semi final duel against DVORAK and EKHOLM. We were 3:1 down, but recovered,” stated WINTER.

For Petrissa this Championship was very emotional.  She admitted: “It was difficult for me to play against my sister Amelie.”

Women’s Doubles final

Petrissa SOLJA, Sabine WINTER (GER) – Zhenqi BARTHEL, SHAN Xiaona (GER) 4:2 (10:12, 9:11, 11:4, 12:10, 11:9, 11:6)