The local hopes for success at the 2014 Babolat Bulgarian International (15.000 US Dollars) were dashed as Bulgarian player Linda Zetchiri lost her semi-final against Indonesian ace Maria Febe Kusumastuti 21-13, 3-21, 13-21. European Junior Champion and BEC Best Young European Player of the Year 2013 Stefani Stoeva withdrew from the women's singles competition as well as Petya Nedelcheva, who withdrew before the tournament.
Spanish player Beatriz Corrales, who was the top seed in Sofia, beat Maria Febe Kusumastuti of Indonesia in three close games (23-25, 21-15, 21-12) to secure her second Bulgarian International title. In last year's edition the 21-year old from Spain beat Petya Nedelcheva in the women's singles final.
The final of the women's doubles saw a class match from two Indonesian pairs. Destiara Della Harris and Gebiya Ristiyani Imauan versus Ririn Amelia and Komala Dewi. Harris/Imauan were the luckier players in this close final (21-9, 18-21, 21-18).
In the men's singles final, it was German Marc Zwiebler who had no difficulties against Scott Evans of Ireland as he won 21-15, 21-8. Zwiebler now held a 6-0 head-to-head career record against Scott Evans. The former European Champion (2012) already won last week's Czech International in Prague.
The final of the men's doubles was an all-Indonesian affair as Selvanus Geh and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamulyu met their compatriots Ronald Alexander and Eddie Subaktiar. Geh and Sukamulyu achieved a solid 21-9, 21-13 victory and took home the gold medal.
The mixed doubles title went to another Indonesian duo. Fran Kurniawan and Komala Dewi beat the young German pair of Max Schwenger and Carla Nelte 18-21, 21-19, 21-13.
"I am very happy with the tournament itself. Our Bulgarian athletes performed well. But health problems prevented us from more success. We are working hard to achieve better results in the future and this makes me happy," said the President of the Bulgarian Badminton Federation, Prof. Dr. Puzant Kassabian.
The finals results:
MS: Marc Zwiebler (GER) - Scott Evans (IRL) 21-15, 21-8
WS: Beatriz Corrales (ESP) - Maria Febe Kusumastuti (INA) 23-25, 21-15, 21-12
MD: Selvanus Geh/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (INA) - Ronald Alexander/Edi Subaktiar (INA) 21-9, 21-13
WD: Della Destiara Haris/Gebby Ristiyani Imawan (INA) - Ririn Amelia/Komala Dewi (INA) 21-9, 18-21, 21-18
XD: Fran Kurniawan/Komala Dewi (INA) - Max Schwenger/Carla Nelte (GER) 18-21, 21-19, 21-13
Click here for full results of the 2014 Babolat Bulgarian International.
Photo and Article by Bulgarian Badminton Federation.