by Ian Marshall, Editor
In the junior boys’ singles initial phase, Paul Szilagi was one of four players to remain unbeaten ahead of the highest ranked player in the group.
Notably, he accounted for Serbia’s Djorde Petrovic, the no.12 seed (6-11, 11-4, 8-11, 11-2, 11-9); a close call for Paul Szilagi, for Croatia’s Filip Borovnjak in addition to Chinese Taipei’s Tsai Li-Yang and Kuo Yu-Liang, life was only marginally less exacting as they toppled a seeded player.
Tsai Li-Yang beat Romania’s Eduard Ionescu, the no.5 seed (4-11, 12-10, 11-7, 12-10), Filip Borovnjak overcame Montenegro’s Filip Radulovic, the no.6 seed (11-8, 11-5, 10-12, 11-7) Similarly, Kuo Yu-Liang prevailed in opposition to Slovakia’s Kamil Pach (11-7, 11-8, 11-7).
Defeats but there was consolation, for all four it was their only defeat; thus second place in the group and progress to the main draw was secured.
Impressive performances
Most impressive efforts, it was the same in the junior girls’ singles event from Evelyn Ungvari, Bianca Mei Rosu and Serbia’s Katarina Gvozdenovic. In the initial stage of play, Evelyn Ungvari beat the Czech Republic’s Martina Novakova, the no.4 seed (11-7, 11-3, 11-8), Bianca Mei Rosu overcame Belgium’s Ana Sow, the no.7 (11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 11-2); Chrysi Fotiadu accounted for Slovakia’s Jana Terezkova, the no.8 seed (11-3, 11-4, 11-8).
Upsets in the group phase of the junior girls’ singles event, there were more; Slovakia the nation to suffer. Adriana llasova, the no.9 seed, lost to Bulgaria’s Ivet Ilieva (10-12, 12-10, 11-9, 11-9); Renata Kacenova, the no.10 seed, experienced defeat at the hands of Romana’s Ioana Singeorzan (11-9, 11-6, 11-5).
Disappointment but similar to their male colleagues who experienced problems, for all it was their only reverse; second place and progress to the main draw was achieved.
Successful day
First place in both age groups, it was the same for Peru’s Carlos Fernandez and Romania’s Andrei Istrate but as anticipated. In the cadet boys’ singles event they commenced play as the respective top two seeds, in the junior boys’ singles, Carlos Fernandez occupied the no.3 seeded spot, Andrei Istrate, the no.7 seeded berth.
A successful day for Carlos Fernandez and Andrei Istrate; in addition in the junior boys’ singles event it was the same for Croatia’s Ivor Ban and Lovro Zovlo as well as for Slovakia’s Filip Delncak, principal names on duty. Likewise, in the junior girls’ singles competition, Serbia’s Radmla Tominjak and Reka Bezeg secured first places as did Italy’s Eliza Armanini.
Upsets
Meanwhile, in the cadet boys’ singles event, notably in addition to Carlos Fernandez, Andrei Istrate and Paul Szilagi it was top spot for Norway’s Martin Frosch and Serbia’s Djorde Petrovic but there were surprises. Sokratis Giannoutos of Greece, the no.8 seed, was beaten by Spain’s Pau Loret (9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-9), Romania’s Daniel Moldovan suffered at the hands of Sweden’s William Bergenblock (11-7, 11-7, 11-9).
Notably it was the only defeat for Sokratis Giannoutos and Daniel Moldovan; thus runners up spot was secured, more importantly a main draw place.
Surprise first positions; not in the cadet girls’ singles event. Additional to Chrysi Fotiadu, Evelyn Ungvari and Bianca Mei Rosu, it was top spot for Belgium’s Julie Van Hauwaert and Sara Devos as it was for Serbia’s Katarina Gvozdenovic.
