by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Impressive performances but the nation to impress the most was Hungary.
Anita Drabant and Helga Dari, representing Hungary ‘A’, ended the day in first place in their group as their status advised; they were the third seeds. They beat they Greek duo of Daniela Grammatopoulou and Malamatenia Papadimittriou by three matches to nil, before experiencing a stern task when facing the Serbian duo of Danjela Karkusova and Radmilla Tominjak.
A three-two win was recorded with Radmilla Tominjak proving the thorn in the side of the Hungarians; she accounted for both Helga Dari (11-5, 11-6, 11-5) and Anita Drabant (11-7, 11-6, 11-7).
Day Three at the 2017 Czech Junior and Cadet Open
After overcoming the Korea ‘A’ Team combination of Kim Taerim and Kim Doyeon by three matches to nil; they caused a major upset by defeating the Lithuanian combination of Emilija Riliskyte and Korneljia Riliskyte, the fourth seeds, by three matches to one to secure top place in the group.
Emilija Riliskyte gave Lithuania the perfect start by accounting for Veronika Menko (6-11, 11-2, 7-11, 13-11, 11-6), prior to the Hungarians responding. Korneljia Riliskyte was beaten by Viola Phan (11-8, 6-11, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3), before in the fourth match of the fixture, she experienced defeat at the hands of Veronika Menko (11-4, 13-11, 11-7). Sandwiched in between, the Hungarians secured the doubles in straight games (11-4, 11-9, 11-7).
Success for Veronika Menko and Viola Phan; they were the only outfit in the Cadet Girls’ Team event to secure first place against the odds. In all other groups the highest rated teams prevailed.
Only the outfits finishing in first place in each group advanced to the main draw; play in the Cadet Girls’ Team event concludes on Saturday 11th February.
