Not as much as in Men’s Singles Event but in the Women’s Event of the 2021 GAZPROM European Under 21 Championships in Belgium’s Spa we saw few shocking defeats.
Only by narrow margin top seeded Mariia TAILAKOVA of Russia escaped the defeat against Camille LUTZ of France in the second round of the Stage two. TAILAKOVA faced the match ball against her before she finished the match in furious style.
โAt the beginning I did not attack strong enough and LUTZ had advantage. After I managed to save the match ball I changed the approach. I played much more aggressive and attacked on the firs ball. I also put more variation in my rhythm โ explained TAILAKOVA.
In the opening round Mariia overcame Nomin BAASAN of Sweden in straight games.
โIt was much closer than the result predicts. I needed some time to settle into the rhythm since it was my first match at the tournament โ explained Russia’s player.
Zdena BLASKOVA of Czech Republic also overcame BAASAN.
In Group B no. two seed Sabina SURJAN of Serbia suffered by the hands of Germany’s Annett KAUFMANN in six games. Previously Annett overcame Helga DARI of Hungary and clinched the top spot in the Group.
โI was not very happy with my performance in the opening match of the day. I beat DARI but my game was not at the good level. I knew DARI’s style but she improved her game a lots recently. Against SURJAN I enjoyed to play. That is the kind of style I like to face. It was very close games that went from one side to another but I was much better in the decisive points โ explained KAUFMANN.
SURJAN beat Leila MOSTAFAVI of France in the opening match in the Stage two.
In Group C Lucie GAUTHIER of France upset the rankings and overcame no. three seed Tatiana KUKULKOVA of Slovakia and Elena ZAHARIA of Romania.
โLast time I have played against KUKULKOVA in Spain just before Pandemic and I lost that match. One thing is certain with her โ Tatiana never gives up. That I had on my mind when she leveled at 2:2 after being 2:0 in reverse. I just continued to play like it is a new match and stayed calm. Against ZAHARIA I have never played before but I saw a lot of her matches. Every game was very close today but her style allowed me to make a lot of good spins and I was very good in the service and return game โ explained GAUTHIER.
In Group D no. four seed Ozge YILMAZ of Turkey is without win today. Katarzyna WEGRZYN of Poland is at the top of the standings with two wins. In the opening match of the day WEGRZYN overcame Isa COK of France in seven games.
โIt was 12:11 for Isa in the last game it was very close match. She recovered from 1:3 in reverse to almost beat me. At the end COK was too nervous and I managed to win. Against Ozge it looked easier but every game was very close โ said WEGRZYN.
In Group E Elizabet ABAAMIAN of Russia plays in very good shape. Elizabet concluded the day with two wins against Alma ROOSE of Switzerland and against the top seed Jamila LAURENTI of Italy. Anastasia KOLISH of Russia lost to Kornelija RILISKYTE of Lithuania .
In Group Anna WEGRZYN of Poland and Hana ARAPOVIC of Croatia are both unbeaten. Andreea DRAGOMAN of Romania was seeded only at the position no. 4 but she won both her encounters. Andreea overcame Franziska SCHREINER of Germany and Ece HARAC of Turkey.
