European Youth Championships | 20 Jul 2024

Mariana SANTA COMBA Secures a Medal in Malmö

All four spots in the semi-finals of the Under 19 Girls Singles event at the European Youth Championships in Malmö are occupied by players from different nations. In the penultimate stage, Veronika MATIUNINA of Ukraine will face Mariana SANTA COMBA of Portugal, while Zuzanna WIELGOS of Poland will compete against Bianca MEI ROSU of Romania.

No. 9 seed Veronika MATIUNINA, the reigning Under 21 European champion, justified her status by beating Germany's No. 50 seed Lorena MORSCH in straight games (10, 10, 11, 7). No. 2 seed Zuzanna WIELGOS halted Slovenia's No. 16 seed Sara TOKIC'S great run with a victory (8, -5, 6, 10, 3).

In a quarterfinal clash, Mariana SANTA COMBA booked her place among the top 4, needing all seven games to defeat Italy's No. 38 seed Miriam CARNOVALE (9, -2, -8, 5, 4, -10, 5).

“I was not expecting this result. During the match I tried to stay focused and always keep on working so I could win this match. In the next round, I will try to do my best and play without pressure,” said Mariana.

No. 3 seed Bianca MEI ROSU also needed seven games to overcome France's Leana HOCHART (3, -6, 7, 10, -10, -17, 8).

“I was so nervous after losing 3-1 to 3-3. My adversary played really well and had a super hard forehand. My tactic was to serve short to her forehand because she has a very good receive in her backhand. Last year I finished as number 3, and I hope I can do even better this time,” said MEI ROSU.

In previous rounds, with the departure of No. 1 seed Mia GRIESEL of Germany in the early stages of the event, Lilou MASSART of Belgium and Agathe AVEZOU of France, the upper half of the draw "opened" for Veronika MATIUNINA. Ukraine's player, seeded No. 9, also did not leave anything to chance and cleared her way effectively in the Round of 16, overcoming No. 4 seed Anna BRZYSKA of Poland in straight games (9, 4, 6, 6).

The same round saw Germany's Lorena MORSCH, seeded No. 50, beating Austria's Anastasia STERNER 4-3 (11, 7, -4, -6, -6, 8, 13).

In the Round of 32, Karolina HOLDA of Poland halted the progress of No. 7 seed Lilou MASSART of Belgium (6, 4, -11, 8, 4). In the same round, Maria BERZOSA of Spain also lost her encounter against Romania's Evelyn UNGVARI, who won in six games (8, -7, 9, 5, -7, 4).