We are four weeks away from the European Championships in Huelva, Spain, and the pressure is mounting for the Spanish representatives to do their country proud.
Leading the way will be Olympic women’s singles champion Carolina Marin. A win here will not only make her a four-time champion, but the most successful women’s singles player at this event. Despite not winning a title yet in 2018, the world number five and European number one has at least reached the quarter-finals in every tournament she has participated in so far.
See also: Marinis on a roll
One possible contender to prevent her from winning a fourth title could be fellow Spaniard Beatriz Corrales. It may have been a mixed bag 2018 for Corrales so far. But the Spanish number two has produced numerous strong performances this year on the big stage and doing in front of a home crowd is the best opportunity to prove it.
Also representing the host nation in the women’s singles will be rising teenage hopefuls Clara Azurmendi and Sara Penalver Pereira.
Abian also looking for success
The partisan crowd will also be pulling for Pablo Abian in the men’s singles. The European number eight has had a long and successful career to date. But a major event in his home country could be the perfect send off for a player that is aiming to better his third round efforts in Kolding last year.
The only other Spanish entrant in the men’s singles is Luis Enrique Penalver.
See also: 2017 European Championships finals day
Outsiders aiming foran upset
Outside of the singles, it will be slim pickings for any success. The men’s doubles sees ranked outsiders Javier Suarez and Alberto Zapico take part. The lowest ranked pair in the field will be looking to cause an upset in the early stages of the competition. The same goes for the women’sand mixed doubles. Aiming to put on a show will be Elena Fernandez and Lorena Usle.
Usle as well as Zapico will be doubling up as the sole representative in the mixed doubles.
For a full list of entries, click here