The fifth phase of 2018-2019 Women’s Champions League group stage fixtures produced two big upsets, one of which heralded from Tarnobrzeg as Czech team SKST Mart Hodonin-Stavoimpex enjoyed a fantastic outing in the Polish city.
Having succumbed to a comfortable defeat to KTS Enea Siarka Tarnobrzeg on match day two, SKST Mart Hodonin-Stavoimpex fell behind early in the return fixture as Han Ying proved too strong for Guo Ruichen in the opening contest (11-8, 11-5, 11-3).
Iveta Vacenovska and Natalia Partyka responded well for the Czech team with victories over Victoria Pavlovich (11-6, 11-9, 11-4) and Elizabeta Samara (6-11, 13-11, 16-14, 11-4) before Vacenovska chipped in with her second success of the day, defeating Han Ying by the narrowest of margins (6-11, 11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 13-11) to help the away side over the line.
The other surprise outcome of the round came in Group C as TT Saint Quentinois stormed to a 3-0 win away to Linz AG Froschberg, a team they lost to by a 3-1 margin earlier in the campaign.
Making a lively start courtesy of Polina Mikhailova, who beat Karoline Mischek (11-7, 11-5, 11-5) the visitors doubled their advantage thanks to a major upset from Aurore Le Mansec in her match against Soo Wai Yam Minnie (12-10, 11-9, 8-11, 11-5). Audrey Zarif then recovered from a game down to beat Linda Bergström in four games (14-16, 11-9, 11-4, 11-7), bringing the contest to a close.
Returning to action for the first time since becoming a mother, Shan Xiaona saw off Maria Dolgikh in straight games (11-6, 11-4, 11-4) to help TTC Berlin Eastside get the better of Etival Tennis de Table ASRTT. Georgina Pota and Nina Mittelham prevailed earlier in the match, beating Camelia Jacob (11-9, 11-6, 10-12, 11-3) and Shao Jieni respectively (11-8, 11-9, 12-10) as the German club emerged victorious.
Defending champions Dr.Casl will finish at the summit of Group A, having emerged successful over French opponents Metz TT for the second time. Falling behind early but the Croatian outfit hit-back through Fu Yu, who needed four games to negotiate her encounter with Carole Grundisch (12-10, 11-8, 9-11, 11-8). Li Jie then put Dr.Casl ahead with a strong outing against Pauline Chasselin (11-8, 11-6, 11-5) before Doo Hoi Kem condemned Grundisch to her second defeat of the match (11-5, 14-12, 11-3) to complete the 3-1 home win.