Portugal Junior International 2018

'The Woods Twins' travelled to Caldas da Rainha, Portugal to compete in the 10th Portuguese International Junior Championships 30th Nov-2nd December. It turned out to be a great tournament for both girls reaching the Semi Finals of the Girls doubles and Rachael reaching the Semi Final of the Girls Singles.

Seeded 4 in the Girls Singles Rachael had a bye in the first round before facing Pardiho from Portugal in the Second Round. It proved to be a very tough match for Rachael against the unknow Portuguese girl and had to be on good form to win taking a very close match 21-19, 27-25. Chloe Segrestan was her 3rd round opponent and Rachael came out flying taking the set 21-12. A drop in concentration, resulting in unforced errors let her opponent gain some momentum in the 2nd set and the French player took full advantage winning the set 21-15. Into the 3rd set and Rachael regained her composure and played a very solid set taking it 21-6 and progressed into the Quarter final.

In the Quarter Final Rachael produced a wonderful display of control and powerful attack against the 5th seed Ana Carbon from Spain. Rachael was always in control and won convincingly 21-13, 21-14.

The Semi final was going to be a tough one against the Top seed for the competition, Milena Schnider from Switzerland. The Swiss player had been very solid in her opening rounds and had a comfortable progression to the Semi final. the top seed continued this form and took the opening set 21-13. However, it was Rachael who upped her game and really started to trouble the Swiss player in the second set and took an early lead at the interval. Rachael then pressed on, showing her form from the Semi finals, to take the set 21-15. After 2 gruelling sets the 3rd set turned into quite a physical battle and Rachael more than held her own in the early stages. However,it was the Swiss player who played the important points well to take the set 21-10. A great performance from Rachael a year young in the U19 age group, losing out to the eventual winner of the competition.

Rebecca and Rachael were seeded 2nd in the Girls doubles and after a bye and a comfortable 2nd round win  against Portugal,  played Chilon & Cuervas (Spain) in the Quarter Finals. It proved to be a very tight throughout the match with the Woods's getting the win in 2 sets 21-18, 21-19. In the Semi final they played a Swiss pair who had taken out the Dutch 4th seeds in the previous round. It was a tough match for the girls up against a strong and well organised pair and after losing out 21-15 in the first set, started to impose themselves in the second but just came up short losing out 21-18. Another great run in the Ladies Doubles for Rachael and Rebecca to reach the Semi Finals.

Both girls reached the quarter Finals of the Mixed Doubles with Rebecca playing with Brian O'Mahony and Rachael playing with Adam McAllister. Unfortunately it was the same story as both the girls doubles and girls singles with both pairs losing out to Swiss opponents.

Another good tournament for both Emerging Performance Squad players Rachael & Rebecca following on from their good results at the Finnish Junior last month. Well done!

For full results click here