Sponsored by Mecano Sports, presented by Caliente.mx, sanctioned by ICTTF

(by Larry Hodges, photo by Larry Hodges: “Viktoria Balics Wins Women’s Hardbat Singles”)

There were six women in the Hardbat Women event, so they decided to play it as a complete round robin – with one catch. They wanted a real final, and so after the group play finished, the top two finishers would play again in the final, with $500 for first, $250 for second.  

Sara Gulabani (USA) and Viktoria Balics (HUN) dominated the round robin, winning all their matches 2-0 and never giving up more than 15 points in a game until they played each other. Sara pulled it out, -21,18,16. Camille Morival (FRA) was third at 2-2; Audrey Rothier (FRA) was fourth at 1-3, Nora Louie (USA) was fifth at 1-4, and Raquel “Rocky” Zubiate (USA) finished sixth.  

In the final between Sara and Viktoria, Sara won the first, 21-17, and seemed on her way to winning. Both played very aggressive counter-hitting games, with Sara sometimes using more topspin. Starting in game two, Viktoria seemed to settle into playing super consistent, even when bang-bang counter-hitting, and her forehands stopped missing. Sara seemed to get careless, and perhaps frustrated, she fell way behind both games. In game three, after falling behind 1-4, she actually tied it 4-4, and was at 6-7 before Viktoria pretty much ran the match out. Match, title, and $500 to Viktoria, -17,6,7, and $250 to Sara.  

Who is Viktoria? She’s a top woman from Szekszárd, Hungary. Two years ago she started playing hardbat, and she practiced hard for this tournament. Outside table tennis, she’s a math and physics teacher. She has two other major interests – kayaking tours, and her biggest love – dogs! I love that since I too am a dog lover. (Due to a translation error, in the initial article I had her loving ducks!!!)

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