by Ian Marshall, Editor

Impressively, Vlada Voronina ended the group stage unbeaten, the notable result being the straight games win in opposition to Italy’s Valentina Roncallo (11-7, 11-9, 11-3), the leading name in the group. A place in the main draw secured, Vlada Voronina maintained her form, she accounted for Turkey’s Olga Yilmez (15-13, 13-11, 13-11, 3-11, 11-6).

Similarly, for Svetlana Dmitrienko, she remained unbeaten to top her group, the impressive win being in opposition to the principal name, Lithuania’s Auguste Melaikaite (11-8, 11-6, 11-13, 12-10); success in the initial phase was followed by success in the first round. Focused, she accounted for Ukraine’s Alina Vydruchenko is straight games (11-8, 11-3, 11-4, 11-6).

Listed the second highest ranked players in their respective groups, it was one step higher for the Russian duo; for Sarvinoz Mirkadirova, it was two steps. She started proceedings, the third highest rated but finished in first place ahead of Ukraine’s Yaroslava Prykhodo, Poland’s Anna Kubiak and Slovakia’s Zuzana Pekova. She ended matters level with Yaroslava Prykhodo, the top name, two wins each but because when the two met, Sarvinoz Mirkadirova had emerged successful (11-1, 11-7, 12-10), the decision went in her favour.

Somewhat of a close call to secure first place in the group; it was the same in the opening round. She needed the full seven games to overcome Romania’s Claudia Caragea (14-12, 13-11, 6-11, 7-11, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7).

Group qualification concluded, the top 16 seeds receiving direct entries to the main draw, the one notable name to stumble in the opening round was that of Slovakia’s Ema Labosova; the no.10 seed, she was beaten by Sweden’s Alma Roose (11-9, 11-9, 11-6, 10-12, 11-7). Notably, the top eight seeds received direct entries to round two.

Play in the junior girls’ singles event concludes on Thursday 23rd May.