February 27, 2009
Hungarian Junior Open: Romanians Justify Top Seeded Spot
 The host nation's Kata Toth who beat Camelia Postoaca in the Romania versus Hungary duel. Photo By: Richard Kalocsai |
Courtesy of ITTF It was their second team. They recorded an unexpected win against Slovakia, the no.7 seeds. |
Victory against a team seeded only one place higher, Romania II is the no.8 seeds, may not appear to be a major upset; the surprise was the margin of victory, especially with the Slovakians fielding Barbora Balazova in their team, the no.2 seed in the Girls’ Singles event.
Impressive Result
The Romanians won by three matches to nil.
Bernadette Szocs beat Simona Lazarcikova, Andrada Vincze accounted for Barbora Balazova and Irina Ciobanu ended matters with victory over Martina Adamekova.
The Romanians finished in top place in their group beating both Croatia and Greece by three matches to nil to complete their opening stage of matches in most impressive style.
First Team in Form
Success for Romania II and also for Romania I; the trio of Cristina Hirici, Camelia Postoaca and Anamaria Sebe defeated the Czech Republic by three matches to nil before recording a three-one win against Hungary II.
Cristina Hirici beat Adrienn Kovacs and Kata Toth with Anamaria Sebe adding the one further win with victory over Nora Haraszti; the Hungarian success came in the first match of the duel with Kata Toth defeating Camelia Postoaca.
Toth’s Dream
Romania finished in first place with Hungary second, both progressing to the second stage.
“I am very pleased with my play today, helping the team advance from the group”, said Kata Toth. “Let’s hope we get a lucky draw in the main draw and go as far as possible; in the singles my dream is to reach the quarter-finals with local people cheering for me.”
Cristina Hirici
It is the dream of most players but one player who will be seeking to go even further is the top Romanian who represented her country at the Evergrande Real Estate World Team Championships in Guangzhou one year ago.
“I have still not recovered fully from my injury but it does not disturb me too much during play”, said Cristina Hirici. “Of course a four day tournament like this is very exhausting but I hope I will be fit at the end; this time I am not so interested in the result itself, more in my performance.”
Victory for the top seeds in impressive style as it was for the next in line.
Hungary, Germany and France
Hungary’s Edina Toth, Dora Madarasz and Krisztina Ambrus recorded three-nil wins against Slovenia and Bulgaria; the German squad of Kathrin Mulbach, Sab ine Winter, Paloma Ballmann and Ann-Kathrin Herges were equally severe against Sloivakia II and Belarus.
Herges was rested against Slovakia II while in opposition to Belarus, it was Kathrin Mulbach who was resigned to the bench.
Similarly the French trio of Aurore Dessaint, Alice Abbat and Laura Gasnier recorded a brace of three-nil wins beating Russia and Hungary III while for Serbia, seeded no. 5 and Poland, seeded no.6, it was only marginally more difficult.
Serbia
Serbia defeated Poland II by three matches to nil but against France II they experienced some difficulties. They won by three matches to one with Anais Leveque causing Serbia problems by beating Dijana Holok.
However wins for Andrea Todorovic over Marine Pavot and Stéphanie Loeuillette plus success for Maija Galonja in opposition to Stéphanie Loeuillette secured a Serbian win.
Second Place Secured for France
Second place was to be the lot for France beating Poland II in the crucial contest with a team effort being the order of the day. Anais Leveque was once again unbeaten, she accounted for Anna Zelinska with Stéphanie Loeuillette and Marine Pavot both losing to Katarzyna Slifirczyk.
However, both accounted for Maja Krzewicka with Pavot succeeding in the very last match of the fixture.
“I told myself before the deciding match, try to play your own game, don't be nervous”, said Pavot. “It was difficult, because I lost my first match.”
Poland
Meanwhile for sixth seeds Poland, the trio of Magdalena Szczerkowksa, Klaudia Kusinska and Roksana Zalomska recorded a three-nil win over Austria but against the Czech Republic life was more difficult.
A three-one win was the order of the day. Magdalena Szczerkowksa accounted for both Kristyna Mikulcova and Aneta Kucerova while Roksana Zalomska overcame Dagmar Blaskova.
The one success for the Czech Republic came from Aneta Kucerova; in the opening duel, she defeated Klaudia Kusinska.
The splendid venue in Tata.
Photo By: Richard Kalocsai
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