European Youth Championships | 19 Jul 2024

DAVIDOV Upsets Top Seed GRIESEL in Under 19 Girls Singles

The biggest upset in the round of 64 at the Under 19 Girls Singles Event was created by Elinor DAVIDOV, who halted the progress of top seed Mia GRIESEL at the European Youth Championships in Malmö. DAVIDOV, seeded 71st, prevailed in a thrilling seven-game match (10, 11, 9, -5, -7, -6, 7). DAVIDOV was up three games before GRIESEL leveled, but DAVIDOV proved to have better nerves in the decisive game.

"It is amazing, and I am so happy now. I knew I had to play at my best and that no matter what, I had to retain my focus. I was already prepared that it was not going to be an easy match and that I had to push myself to the limits," said DAVIDOV.

In her four previous appearances, DAVIDOV did not manage to achieve such an important win. Her progress to the round of 32 and victory over the top seed marks her greatest result so far.

"This is my second year in juniors; last year I passed the group and then lost in the opening round," said DAVIDOV, who added that playing abroad in Portugal's league brought her extra experience and self-confidence.

In the next round, she will meet Miriam CARNOVALE of Italy, who overcame Lukrecija JUCHNAITE of Lithuania (6, 5, -9, 9, -8, 6).

The favorites continued to stumble, with No. 8 seed Agathe AVEZOU of France losing against Germany's Lorena MORSCH 4-1 (7, 6, 7, -3, 9). No. 10 seed Nicole ARLIA of Italy is also out, losing to Spanish Camila MOSCOSO in another long-distance duel.

Xijin ZHENG of the Netherlands overcame Agnes SVENSSON of Sweden 4-1 (7, 7, -3, 5, 8) in the second round, which saw the departure of all host nation representatives in the Girls Under 19 singles. However, ZHENG failed to stay in the game after losing to Fanny DOUTAZ of Switzerland (8, 9, 7, 5).

One of the Round 2 upsets was created by Christine KALVATN of Norway, who overcame Spain's Eugenia SASTRE 4-2 (7, 8, -9, 8, -6, 4), but she also failed to prolong her stay to the penultimate day. Zrinka REBIC of Croatia secured her place in the Round of 32 (6, 7, 6, -8, 10).