FRENCH OPEN 2015 R16 – Stoeva Sister Act I

Incredible! Bulgaria’s Stoeva sisters finally grew into a Chinese women’s doubles-beating pair after three thrilling games, guaranteeing them a place into the quarter-final, a great reward for the two sisters after their hard work over the last three years.

By Tarek Hafi, Badzine Correspondent live in Paris.  Photos: Badmintonphoto (live)

This marks two career firsts for the constantly rising pair of Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva, who needed three games to defeat their well-known opponents, Zhong Qianxin and Bao Yixin and gain entry to their first Superseries quarter-final.  The Chinese, who were reunited only recently but were once ranked #2 in the world, have accumulated a combined 6 major titles with various partners this year but in Paris, they became the first Chinese national team pair to fall to the European Games gold medallists.

Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva showed great discipline in the first game, putting high pressure on their opponents and reacting with speed at the net, allowing the pair to bring on world class rallies.

“We never expected to win, and we are just so happy with this victory! And Wow! We never expected to win against a Chinese pair, I’m so in shock I just don’t know what to say!” Confessed Stefani Stoeva completely overwhelmed with what they had achieved.

However, the second game didn’t go the right way for the Bulgarians, as they let the Chinese come back while they were trailing and claim it in the end.

“I think we lost our concentration and made easy mistakes, but in the third game we decided to play like in the first and it worked!” analysed Gabriela. “I guess nobody thought a pair from Bulgaria could win a match against a Chinese pair. I am sure our country is not even on their map! Denmark has good doubles, but Bulgaria! It’s unbelievable, we really worked hard, and now it is paying off.  Whatever we gave and achieved now it finally worked out so we’re really happy.”

The newly elected favourites of the Parisian crowd will now have to attempt to scale the Korean wall, as they are set to meet the recent Denmark Superseries Premier winners Jung Kyung Eun and Shin Seung Chan.

“It will be a tough match but we will definitely be giving our best and see how it goes!” concluded Stefani, on a contest the sisters are eager to start tomorrow in the Pierre de Coubertin Stadium.

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