Sidorenko and Shiomi land Under 21 titles
Under 21 Men’s and Women’s Singles: Final
Russia’s Vladimir Sidorenko has edged a dramatic Under 21 men’s singles final in Lisbon, coming through a full distance affair against Japan’s Shunsuke Togami (8-11, 13-11, 11-9, 3-11, 12-10).
Defeat for one Japanese player but in the Under 21 women’s singles final it was success for the Land of the Rising Sun as Maki Shiomi battled past Belarusian opponent Daria Trigolos 3-1 (11-4, 11-3, 10-12, 11-3).
Ecuador star takes the spotlight
Men’s Singles: Round of 32
Ecuador will be represented in the last 16 of the men’s singles event in Lisbon following a sensational performance from World no.76 Alberto Mino, who successfully came through his encounter against Japan’s Masataka Morizono by a 4-2 margin (11-5, 4-11, 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 11-9).
Elsewhere, we have just witnessed a huge comeback display from Italy’s Mihai Bobocica who has recovered from a 0-3 deficit to topple Chen Chien-An 4-3 (8-11, 11-13, 6-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-7, 11-9) while Germany’s Qiu Dang eliminates Europe Top 16 bronze medallist Robert Gardos (3-11, 11-5, 6-11, 12-10, 9-11, 13-11, 12-10).
Mixed emotions for host nation hopeful
Men’s Singles: Round of 32
Joao Monteiro is out of the running in the men’s singles race following a straight games defeat against Chinese Taipei’s Feng Yi-Hsin (15-13, 11-7, 11-3, 11-5). However, it was the opposite picture for the other host nation player involved in the 7.10pm session with Tiago Apolonia negotiating his meeting with Russia’s Vladimir Sidorenko (11-6, 11-4, 11-4, 11-8).
Nanthana Komwong claims stunning win
Women’s Singles: Round of 32
Surely the standout result of the 6.20pm session comes courtesy of Thailand’s Nanthana Komwong, who defied expectations to beat highly-rated Chinese Taipei opponent Chen Szu-Yu in a seven-game thriller (14-12, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-5).
France’s Laura Gasnier also impressed with her 4-2 victory over Polina Mikhailova (12-10, 11-6, 8-11, 8-11, 11-9, 11-9), booking her spot in the last 16 in the process.
Home crowd ready to cheer
Men’s Doubles: Round of 16
Diogo Carvalho with João Geraldo were effortless in their win over Austria’s Alexander Chen with David Serdaroglu, allowing the home fans something to cheer about. The Portuguese duo won in straight games (12-10, 11-6, 11-9) and all but within 20 minutes.
The Japanese pairing comprising of the impressive Shunsuke Togami and Yukiya Uda could not however keep going in the competition. They lost to the Korea Republic duo of Baek Kwangil and Park Chan-Hyeok reach the quarter-finals (12-10, 11-7, 11-9).
Chen/Cheng move into quarters
Women’s Doubles: Round of 16
Chinese Taipei’s Chen Szu-Yu with Cheng Hsien-Tzu had a swift win over Romanian’s Adina Diaconu with Andreea Dragoman, winning 3-0 (11-6, 12-10, 11-6).
Similarly for France’s Stéphanie Loeuillette with Yuan Jia Nan, it was to be a good start to the afternoon as they accounted for Thailand’s Nanthana Komwong with Jinnipa Sawettabut in straight games (11-7, 11-9, 11-9).
Shiomi continues her run
Under 21 Women’s Singles: Semi-Finals
The sensation from Japan has reached the final of the under 21 women’s singles event, seeing off the challenge of Romania’s Adina Diaconu (7-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-4).
Her opponent had to go through much less in the other semi-final, as France’s Nolwenn Fort could not stop Belarus’ Daria Trigolos from winning 3-0 (11-9, 12-10, 12-10) and reaching within touching grasp of the gold.
Gardos shows class
Men’s Singles: Round One
Austria’s veteran Robert Gardos showed off his class as he took care of the host’s Diogo Chen in a 4-1 (11-7, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 11-6) win.
Paul Drinkhall continued to take the English flag forward as he accounted for Chinese Taipei’s Yang Heng-Wei in straight games (11-8, 11-5, 11-4, 11-7).
Japan’s Shunsuke Togami sends warning signal
Men’s Singles: Round One
Japanese qualifier Shunsuke Togami was the star in the men’s singles round one as he edged out number four seed Slovakia’s Wang Yang after a hard-fought 4-3 (11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 10-12, 10-12, 11-8, 11-6) triumph.
Another seeded player Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro was shown the exit by Chinese Taipei’s Feng Yi-Hsin 4-1 (11-8, 11-3, 9-11, 11-8, 11-7).
Benedek Olah marches on
Men’s Singles: Round One
Runner’s up at 2020 Spanish Open, Finland’s Benedek Olah is one of the top seeds that progressed after a 4-2 (12-10, 4-11, 4-11, 13-11, 11-7, 11-7) win over Sweden’s Simon Arvidsson.
Frenchman Emmanuel Lebesson confirmed his stay in the competition after a 4-1 (11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-4) victory over Romania’s Alexandru Cazacu.
Ibrahima Diaw in early exit
Men’s Singles: Round One
Ibrahima Diaw’s status as one of the seeded players in the men’s singles came to an end as the Senegalese fell 1-4 (9-11, 9-11, 11-4, 8-11, 7-11) to Russia’s Sadi Ismailov.
Slovakia’s Lubomir Pistej was tested but he prevailed over Uzbekistan’s Zohid Kenjaev at 4-2 (11-5, 7-11, 11-4, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8).
Omar Assar escapes an early scare
Men’s Singles: Round One
As the number one seed, Omar Assar did not start well against Indian Manav Vikash Thakkar losing the first two games at 9-11, 9-11, but a rejuvenated Omar Assar returned to the table to end the good run of the Indian qualifier at 4-2 (9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5, 16-14, 11-5). It was a big scare for the Egyptian but his experience was handy for him to negotiate the first round of the men’s singles.
Tiago Apolonia lived up to expectation with a 4-1 (11-3, 11-7, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4) over Sweden’s Elias Ranefur to continue his title quest at home.
Like his compatriot, João Monteiro enjoyed a 4-2 (11-7, 11-3, 11-3, 6-11, 8-11, 11-2) win against England’s David McBeath.
Devos wins, Levenko follows
Men’s Singles: Round One
Belgium’s Robin Devos beat Russian Denis Ivonin in a strong performance and won 4-1 (7-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-6, 13-11), despite being a game down to start with.
Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo could not stand the amazing shot work by Andreas Levenko, as the Austrian cruised to a 4-1 win (11-7, 11-7, 11-6, 8-11, 11-5).
Paranang finds her form
Women’s Singles: Round One
Thailand’s Orawan Paranang was in imperious mood against Greece’s Aikaterini Toliou, winning in 4-0 (12-10, 11-9, 11-8, 11-8) in 27 minutes.
For the Indian athlete Madhurika Patkar, there were to be no such luck, as she lost out to Belarus’ Nadezhda Bogdanova in straight games (11-9, 11-7, 12-10, 11-7).
Double exit for Wang
Women’s Singles: Round One
USA’s Amy Wang was eliminated for a second time in one day as she fell to Italy’s Debora Vivarelli in straight games (11-8, 11-8, 11-6, 11-8).
France’s Laura Gasnier continued her good run as she beat Belgian Margo Degraef in under half an hour and move on to the next round (11-5, 10-12, 11-6, 11-9, 11-4).
Monteiro sees off Takahashi
Women’s Singles: Round One
Romania’s Daniela Monteiro Dodean was in a sparkling touch today as she took care of Bruna Takahashi in stunning form, seeing off the Brazilian 4-2 (6-11, 11-4, 11-4, 10-12, 11-4, 11-4).
Monteiro’s compatriot Arina Singeorzan was sadly not as fortunate on the day, as she found herself losing out to Netherlands’ Britt Eerland 4-1 (11-7, 11-5, 8-11, 11-8, 11-4).
Lisa exits, so does Wang
Under 21 Women’s Singles: Quarter-finals
Belgium’s Lung Lisa suffered a straight games defeat to Romanian Adina Diaconu, who was very efficient in her 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-9) win which takes her to the semi-finals.
Over at table 5 of the Casal Vistoso, USA’s Amy Wang was unable to make her lead count as she lost out to Belarus’ Daria Trigolos 3-1 (7-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-5).
Brave effort needed as Pistej/Balazova come through
Mixed Doubles: Round of 16
Slovakians Lubomir Pistej with Barbora Balazova needed a strong effort on their part to come back from 1-2 down and win against Belgian’s Laurens Devos with Lung Lisa.
In a match lasting 33 minutes, Pistej and Balazova finally won 3-2 (11-6, 12-14, 6-11, 15-13, 11-5) with a brave and determined workrate around the table.
Good start for Yuan/Lebesson
Mixed Doubles: Round of 16
It’s a good start to the day for Yuan Jia Nan with Emmanuel Lebesson as they coasted to a win against Belarus’ Aliaksandr Khanin with Daria Trigolos (11-5, 11-5, 11-6).
Similarly for Brazil’s Vitor Ishy with Bruna Takahashi, it was strong opening win over Chilean duo Juan Lamadrid with Paulina Vega (11-3, 11-9, 6-11, 11-7).
