Testing times for top seeds, Dimitrij Ovtcharov recovers, Hu Melek wins by narrowest of margins

by Ian Marshall & Simon Daish

Dimitrij Ovtcharov, who in his opening contest had beaten Portugal’s João Monteiro, the no.13 seed (11-3, 8-11, 11-5, 11-9), recovered from a two games to nil deficit to overcome Frenchman Simon Gauzy, the no.5 seed (7-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-9, 11-6).

Defeat for João Monteiro; there was also a second defeat for the Portuguese star; in the second series of matches, he experienced defeat at the hands of Denmark’s Jonathan Groth, the no.15 seed (11-7, 11-6, 6-11, 11-7)

Meanwhile, for Hu Melek, the decision was even closer. Eventually, she overcame Hungary’s Georgina Pota, the no.8 seed, in a contest where all five games were decided by the minimal two point margin (18-16, 13-15, 11-9, 11-13, 12-10).

“I don’t feel so good today, because this morning I lost the first match three-nil; this match was also very difficult but now I feel a little bit better than this morning”, Hu Melek.

Success for Hu Melek; in the counterpart group contest there was also success for Daniela Monteiro-Dodean. She beat Austria’s Sofia Polcanova (11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-5) and thus is the only unbeaten player in the group after two series of matches.

Disappointment for Austria but there was success. Liu Jia, the no.3 seed, maintained her unbeaten record, she defeated Germany’s Sabine Winter, the no.8 seed (11-7, 4-11, 11-4, 9-11, 11-7).

In the counterpart group contest, the Slovak Republic’s Barbora Balazova, the no.15 seed, caused an upset of note. She accounted for Russia’s Polina Mikhailova, the no.9 seed (11-4, 11-2, 11-9).

Liu Jia remains the only unbeaten player in the group.