Russia and Sweden dominate on the first day of Finland Open, host nation knocked out in the first round
Russia excelled on the opening day of Finland Open as it dominated the day on December 8th 2011, held at Helinski. Both the men’s and the women’s teams confirmed their places in the final.
Evgeny Regentov and Vildan Gladiev moved into the final round in the men's category. Likewise, the Russian duo, Svetlana Krekina and Maria Bykova, advanced to the finals in the women's category.
The two Russian men were in absolute form as they were not seriously tested in any match by their opponents. They overcame Andre Ho, Chen Hongtao and Pierre-Luc Hinse without any serious trouble.
Pierre-Luc Hinse of Canada was looking good early on as he overcame Evgeny Regentov with an impressive win. Hinse turned the game in his favour after the fourth set, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8 and 14-12.
However, Hinse could not continue his superb form as he lost to the Russian player, Vildan Gladiev, after a close encounter. The match was prolonged till the final set, Hinse surrendered in the final set, 11-4, 7-11, 2-11, 14-12 and 11-9.
Gladiev continued the winning streak and defeated Andre Ho by winning the first three sets in a row, 11-9, 11-9 and 11-5.
Vildan Gladiev then teamed up with Evgeny Regentov, the duo defeated Andre HO and Chen Hongtao, 11-8, 11-7, 9-11 and11-8.
Sweden also qualified through to the finals without any serious problems as Jon Persson and Harald Andersson defeated Petko Gabrovski and Stanislav Golovanov of Bulgaria, with a three-nil win.
Swedish women’s team, comprising of Alex Galic and Monika Fuhrer, were tested by the French and Bulgarian partnership.
Stéphanie Loeuillette and Asya Kasabova played a splendid knock as they fought till the fifth set but had to face a defeat at the hands of the Swedish players.
Alex Galic defeated Asya Kasabova with the following scores: 13-11, 11-6, 3-11, 10-12, and 11-8.
17-year-old, Galic was extremely strong, rather invincible, as she also defeated Stéphanie Loeuillette in a match that lasted four sets: 12-10, 11-7, 3-11 and 11-4.
It was a good opening day for both, Sweden and Russia, whereas the host nation was disappointed as both the Finland teams could not make it to the next round.
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