Madeira International QF: Perez and Kostiukova Break Into Last Four

Both of the tournament’s No.7 seeds, in Ukrainian Anastasiia Kostiukova and Spaniard Ivan Perez, took out members of the top four seeds to make it through to the semis of the Madeira International on Friday afternoon.

Perez, who is th No.7 seed for the men’s Challenger 10 level tournament, took on No.4 seed Ben Coleman in his quarter final clash, and although their match lasted more than 50 minutes, the Spaniard was never really out of control in the match, winning 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 to advance to the semis.

He will now face top seed and home favourite Rui Soares in the last four, after the Portuguese No.1 came through a tricky five-game contest. Soares did battle with England’s Simon Herbert in the last eight of the competition, and found himself behind after three games. He fought back though to win the fourth 11-9, before taking the deciding game 11-8 to make his way into the semi-finals. The other match in the last four will see Hungary’s Balazs Farkas take on Egypt’s Aly Abou Eleinen for a place in the final on Sunday.

The women’s Challenger 3 level event, the first time a women’s event has been held at the tournament, also produced a surprise result on Friday, with Ukraine’s Anastasiia Kostiukova taking out the No.2 seed, Katriona Allen, in straight games. Kostiukova won the first on a tie-break to take the momentum, before doubling her lead comfortably. The third also went to a tie-break, which she won 13-11 to close out the victory in three, booking her spot in the last four.

The Ukrainian will face No.4 seed, England’s Keira Marshall, on Saturday in the semi-finals, while top seed Katerina Tycova will do battle with France’s Lea Barbeau for a place in the final.

The semi-finals of the Madeira International will take place at the Galo Active Health Club on the Portuguese island on Saturday, September 10, with the action being streamed live on the Galomar TV YouTube channel. You can also keep up to date with live action from the tournament on our website here.

Men’s Quarter Final Results: Madeira International
[1] Rui Soares (POR) bt Simon Herbert (ENG) 3-2: 11-5, 8-11, 7-11, 11-9, 11-8 (54m)
[7] Ivan Perez (ESP) bt [4] Ben Coleman (ENG) 3-0: 11-5, 11-7, 11-7 (52m)
[3] Balazs Farkas (HUN) bt [8] Emyr Evans (WAL) 3-0: 11-4, 11-4, 11-5 (32m)
[2] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY) bt [5] Ronald Palomino (COL) 3-0: 11-4, 14-12, 11-2 (38m)

Men’s Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, September 10
[1] Rui Soares (POR) v [7] Ivan Perez (ESP)
[3] Balazs Farkas (HUN) v [2] Aly Abou Eleinen (EGY)

Women’s Quarter Final Results: Madeira International
[7] Anastasiia Kostiukova (UKR) bt [2] Katriona Allen (SCO) 3-0: 13-11, 11-5, 13-11 (37m)
[4] Kiera Marshall (ENG) bt [5] Sofia Aveiro Pita (POR) 3-0: 11-5, 11-8, 11-4 (27m)
[3] Lea Barbeau (FRA) bt Maria Tovar (COL) 3-1: 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 11-8 (44m)
[1] Katerina Tycova (GER) bt [6] Ella Galova (FRA) 3-0: 11-8, 11-6, 12-10 (39m)

Women’s Semi-Final Draw: To Be Played Saturday, September 10
[7] Anastasiia Kostiukova (UKR) v [4] Kiera Marshall (ENG)
[3] Lea Barbeau (FRA) v [1] Katerina Tycova (GER)