Romania secured a place on the podium at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals after defeating France 3-1 in the women’s quarterfinals on Friday evening in London. With the victory, Romania guaranteed at least a bronze medal and advanced to the semifinals, where they will face China for a place in the final.
France made the stronger start as Yuan Jia NAN edged past Adina DIACONU in five games. Romania quickly responded through Bernadette SZOCS, who recovered after losing momentum in the fourth game to defeat Prithika PAVADE in the decider.
Andreea DRAGOMAN then put Romania ahead with a confident 3-1 win over Charlotte LUTZ before SZOCS sealed the overall victory in the fourth match. The Romanian star came through another hard-fought battle against Yuan Jia NAN, winning the decisive fourth game in deuce to send Romania into the semifinals.
France – Romania 1-3
- Yuan Jia Nan – Adina DIACONU 3-2 (7-11, 13-11, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5)
- Prithika PAVADE – Bernadette SZOCS 2-3 (7-11, 9-11, 13-11, 11-5, 2-11)
- Charlotte LUTZ – Andreea DRAGOMAN 1-3 (6-11, 7-11, 11-6, 6-11)
- Yuan Jia Nan – Bernadette SZOCS 1-3 (12-10, 6-11, 4-11, 12-14)
