Seven nations have made it through to the singles semi-finals at the European 18 & Under Championships in Klosters. Only the host nation has two players left.
It was supposed to be the highlight of the day, but the match between Leonie Kung and Viktoriia Dema turned into a monologue for the Swiss. The Ukrainian seemingly wasn’t at a hundred percent and Kung cruised to a 6-1 first set win in a mere 17 minutes. At 2-2 in the second, Dema retired due to wrist problems. The Swiss, a Wimbledon finalist two weeks ago, will now face the crafty polish player Maja Chwalinska, who topped Vlada Koval of Russia in straight sets.
Local supporters can still hope for an all-Swiss final as Joanne Zuger also advanced to the medal round after beating Nika Radisic of Slowenia. Zuger hasn’t dropped a set yet and will next challenge the top-seed, Clara Tauson. The 15-year-old Dane overcame stiff resistance from Fiona Ganz, the third Swiss in the round of eight but eventually prevailed in a tough three-setter.
Also in the boys draw, the number 1 seed is still in course for the title. Bulgarian Adrian Andreev will face 13-seed Valentin Royer of France in the semis, unseeded Giulio Zeppieri of Italy will square off against Jonas Forejtek of Czech Republic, the number 11 in the draw.
Friday also saw the top home players beaten at the 14 & Under event in Most. Second seed Linda Fruhvirtova’s impressive season will not include a European Championship title – in singles at least – after she was outlasted 6-4 4-6 6-4 by seventh seeded Ukrainian Anastasiya Soboleva. Barbora Palicova, the host country’s second main hope, also fell with a 6-1 6-4 loss to Aliona Falei (BLR). Linda Noskova restored some pride for the Czechs with a straight sets win over in-form third seed Sofia Costoulas. Top seed Diana Shnaider of Russia completes the semi-final line-up.
Sean Cuenin of France and Kalin Ivanovski of FYR Macedonia continue to make waves in the boys’ draw, each completed a third consecutive upset of a seeded player. Both players fought back from a set down, Cuenin to beat Russian seventh seed Konstantin Zhzhenov 4-6 6-3 6-4, and Ivanovski beating Luca van Assche of France, 5-7 6-0 7-5.
Cuenin next plays unseeded Luka Jovanovic (SRB), while Ivanovski will face Croatian fourth seed Mili Poljicak, who survived a final set tie break to beat Noah Merre of Belgium.
European 14 & Under Championships, Most (CZE)
Boys Singles | Boys Doubles | Girls Singles | Girls Doubles
Order of Play / Results | Photo Gallery
European 18 & Under Championships, Klosters (SUI)
Draws and Results
Order of Play | Photo Gallery
Live Streaming | Live Scores