Six medals in one week for Siri
compass-supported Siri Benjegård of Sweden enjoyed a successful week over Easter. She won three gold medals, one silver medal and two bronze medals at the WTT Youth Contenders in Bulgaria and Serbia.
“I am very satisfied with my performance,” said the 14-year-old.
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Siri Benjegard in action at the WTT Youth Contender in Panagyurishte, Bulgaria. Photo: WTT Global
In Panagyurishte, Bulgaria (26 to 29 March,) Siri won her first U17 event at a WTT tournament. Having won her group, she went on to defeat the Romanian trio of Maria Stoian, Vasilica Sandu and Patricia Stoica on her way to the finals. There, she won against Maja Vanjo of Serbia in a five-game match: 9:11, 11:7, 2:11, 11:5, 11:2.
“I am very happy with the final,” Siri commented. “When I was 1:2 down, I found the right tactics, which allowed me to take control of the game. I played the last two games very well.”
Loss against a good blocker
Of course, the U17 win made Siri a strong favourite in the U15 category. Everything went smoothly in this category until the semi-inals, when Siri encountered Kariss Serban of Romania and lost 11:7 in the decider.
“Kariss played well in the semifinals. She blocked my loops safely, which I hadn’t experienced earlier in the tournament. She had short pips on her forehand, which made me feel a bit uncomfortable, and I think I relied too much on my backhand during the rallies.”
Siri also won the U15 mixed doubles, partnering compatriot Emil Ellermann.
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Adam Wallin hits a backhand, while Siri waits for her turn to contribute to a winning point. Photo: WTT
Victory in the mixed doubles event in Novi Sad
The WTT Youth Contender was played in Novi Sad, Slovenia, from 31 March to 4 April. Siri won the mixed tournament here too, this time in the U19 event, partnering compatriot Adam Wallin. In the U17 Singles event, Siri reached the semifinals, overcoming Kariss Serban, whom she had previously lost to in Bulgaria, with a score of 11:6 in the decider in the round of 16. Siri then overcame the higher-seeded Nora Dohoczki from Hungary 3:1 in the quarterfinals. However, in the semifinals, Patricia Stoica got her revenge, winning in straight games: 11:8, 11:4, 11:6.
“She played unbelievably well in this match,” said Siri. “I have to give her that. She returned every ball and put pressure on me in the corners.”
U15 finalist
Siri made it all the way to the finals in U15, defeating Romania’s Nadlia Ionascu in the semifinal in straight games. However, in the final, Lizett Fazekas from Hungary, but now representing Croatia, proved too strong, winning 3:0.
“She has been away for some time and has returned with an even better backhand; I missed more backhand openings than usual during these competitions.”
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Yes! Relaxed after winning a point. Photo: WTT
The next WTT Youth Contender will take place in Luxembourg, followed by a Youth Contender and a Youth Star Contender in Metz, France. Several compass-supported players will be participating in these events. Siri’s next international appearance will be in late April in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Currently, Siri is ranked 14th in the U15 World Rankings, with no European competitor ahead of her.
More information and all results can be found at:
Six medals in one week for Siri
Six medals in one week for Siri
compass-supported Siri Benjegård of Sweden enjoyed a successful week over Easter. She won three gold medals, one silver medal and two bronze medals at the WTT Youth Contenders in Bulgaria and Serbia.
“I am very satisfied with my performance,” said the 14-year-old.
none
Siri Benjegard in action at the WTT Youth Contender in Panagyurishte, Bulgaria. Photo: WTT Global
In Panagyurishte, Bulgaria (26 to 29 March,) Siri won her first U17 event at a WTT tournament. Having won her group, she went on to defeat the Romanian trio of Maria Stoian, Vasilica Sandu and Patricia Stoica on her way to the finals. There, she won against Maja Vanjo of Serbia in a five-game match: 9:11, 11:7, 2:11, 11:5, 11:2.
“I am very happy with the final,” Siri commented. “When I was 1:2 down, I found the right tactics, which allowed me to take control of the game. I played the last two games very well.”
Loss against a good blocker
Of course, the U17 win made Siri a strong favourite in the U15 category. Everything went smoothly in this category until the semi-inals, when Siri encountered Kariss Serban of Romania and lost 11:7 in the decider.
“Kariss played well in the semifinals. She blocked my loops safely, which I hadn’t experienced earlier in the tournament. She had short pips on her forehand, which made me feel a bit uncomfortable, and I think I relied too much on my backhand during the rallies.”
Siri also won the U15 mixed doubles, partnering compatriot Emil Ellermann.
none
Adam Wallin hits a backhand, while Siri waits for her turn to contribute to a winning point. Photo: WTT
Victory in the mixed doubles event in Novi Sad
The WTT Youth Contender was played in Novi Sad, Slovenia, from 31 March to 4 April. Siri won the mixed tournament here too, this time in the U19 event, partnering compatriot Adam Wallin. In the U17 Singles event, Siri reached the semifinals, overcoming Kariss Serban, whom she had previously lost to in Bulgaria, with a score of 11:6 in the decider in the round of 16. Siri then overcame the higher-seeded Nora Dohoczki from Hungary 3:1 in the quarterfinals. However, in the semifinals, Patricia Stoica got her revenge, winning in straight games: 11:8, 11:4, 11:6.
“She played unbelievably well in this match,” said Siri. “I have to give her that. She returned every ball and put pressure on me in the corners.”
U15 finalist
Siri made it all the way to the finals in U15, defeating Romania’s Nadlia Ionascu in the semifinal in straight games. However, in the final, Lizett Fazekas from Hungary, but now representing Croatia, proved too strong, winning 3:0.
“She has been away for some time and has returned with an even better backhand; I missed more backhand openings than usual during these competitions.”
none
Yes! Relaxed after winning a point. Photo: WTT
The next WTT Youth Contender will take place in Luxembourg, followed by a Youth Contender and a Youth Star Contender in Metz, France. Several compass-supported players will be participating in these events. Siri’s next international appearance will be in late April in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Currently, Siri is ranked 14th in the U15 World Rankings, with no European competitor ahead of her.
More information and all results can be found at:
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