ZALEWSKA DEFENDS TITLE

Oct 30, 2021

OLIWIA ZALEWSKA, the 26 year-old Polish player, successfully defendedher Turkish Open title, defeating Ana Gradisnik (Slovenia) 7-5 in thechampionship match. It was Zalewska’s fourth Euro Tour title, adding towins in Italy (2015), Austria and Turkey in 2019.



Hosted by the Venezia Palace Hotel in Antalya, Turkey, Zalewska got offto the worst possible start to the tournament as she lost her openingmatch against Elise Qiu (France) which relegated her to the loser’s sideof the bracket.







She fought hard though, surviving a hill-hill battle with VeronikaIvanovskaia (Germany) before defeating home hope, Eyllul Kibaroglu inanother hill-hill tussle to reach the last four. Another 7-6 win, thistime over Kamila Khodjaeva saw her through to the final.



Gradisnik, going for her maiden Euro Tour title following threerunners-up finishes, ran undefeated through the event, including ahard-fought win over Russia’s Kristina Tkach to reach the final.However, her unbeaten run came to a halt in the final as she lost 7-5 tothe triumphant Oliwia Zalewska.



In addition to the title, the Polish former WPA World Junior Championleapfrogs Kristina Tkach to take top spot on the Predator Women’s EuroTour rankings.



Commented the champion, “I am very delighted about this victory. It's apleasure to participate in a tournament in such beautiful place. It'smaking me more optimistic and maybe it's the reason why I took the titlein Antalya twice!



“It's my first time to be classified as number one on the EuropeanWomen’s Ranking. It's a big success for me for which I have worked foryears.



“My family and friends make me believe in myself and I have big supportfrom them. I have big experience in such tournaments too. So, I learnfrom match to match how to deal with the pressure”, she added.



OLIWIA ZALEWSKA







The Predator Euro Tour Women reconvenes in Italy on the 27th Novemberfor the Treviso Open.



All the matches can be viewed live at www.kozoom.com



Results, live scoring and draw are available at www.epbf.com



Luke Riches on behalf of the EPBF.