Czech top teams make it through pool stage at Prague 2-Star event
News
Home favourites Ondřej Perušič and David Schweiner advanced directly to the quarter-finals of the Beach Prague Open 2021 after securing two wins in a row in Pool A on Friday. Michala Kvapilová and Michaela Kubíčková, Martina Williams and Marie-Sara Štochlova as well as Barbora Hermannová and Daniela Resová made it through the pool stage of the competition as well.
The second day of action at Beachclub Ladvi featured as many as 32 matches, with many involving Czech teams. Four of the home teams reached the quarterfinals with even a light rain not disrupting their triumphal march as they looked confident and solid in their performances.
Ondřej Perušič and David Schweiner confirmed their role as favourites in the men’s competition, defeating both Lithuania’s Artur Vasiljev and Robert Juchnevic and the Slovenes Danijel Pokersnik/Nejc Zemljak in two sets to progress straight to the quarterfinals. “We know that we did not show our best performance today, but we made it through, which we are happy about,” said Schweiner.
Ondřej Perušič (CZE)“To avoid an extra round of matches is good for us now, especially in such a busy schedule. Moreover, we have the opportunity to see and study our next opponents a little closer.”
The other men’s home teams were not as successful, but they still delivered a series of good performances. For example, Kryštof Oliva and Matyáš Džavoronok finished 13th, but they could be satisfied with a very balanced game they played against the German favourites Alexander Walkenhorst/Sven Winter and the Dutch pair Ruben Penninga/Matthew Immers. František Knobloch and Lukáš Kittl and Jakub Šépka/Tomáš Semerád have to leave the competition after completion of the pool stage as well.
The women’s leaders Barbora Hermannová and Daniela Resová obviously need some time to adjust since they have been playing together for a very short time only. “After all, we have only had one training session, so we are still trying to get a bit more comfortable,” explained Hermannová. Even so, the Czechs advanced from second place in their pool after turning around an unfavourable result in their first match against Poland’s Jagoda Gruszczynska and Kinga Legieta, before losing to Valentyna Davidova/Diana Lunina of Ukraine.
Daniela Resová (CZE)“It is amazing to play alongside Bára. I am getting experience from her and trying to learn as much as I can."
Štochlova/Williams and Kvapilová/Kubíčková also managed to advance from the pool. On the other hand, Anna Pospíšilová and Michaela Kulhánková had to say goodbye to the tournament.
The fan zone was again packed with activities for children. An art workshop by Osmička for the whole family, a bouncy castle, laser game or a photo shoot with the Czech Olympians attracted dozens of young athletes.