Williams shines as English youngsters impress at Czech Junior

Holly Williams claimed two winners medals at the Czech Junior Open as the young English contingent impressed in Orlova.

Williams teamed up with Estelle van Leeuwen to earn women’s doubles glory, the second seeds overcoming home favourites Kateřina Koliášová and Kateřina Osladilová 21-16, 21-19 in the final.

The English pair did not drop a game across the weekend and will look to continue their fine form in a busy spell of upcoming tournaments.

Williams was also successful in the mixed doubles alongside Samuel Jones, the duo reeling off four consecutive straight games victories to set up a final against Piotr Liszka and Anna Czuchra.

Jones and Williams took the first set 21-17 but the Polish pair hit back to force a decider, which was nip and tuck until the seventh seeds pulled clear at the death to win it 21-18.

Jones was back on the podium in the men’s doubles, taking the runners-up spot alongside Nadeem Dalvi.

The unseeded pair toppled seventh seeds Mark Koroša and Nik Zupančič on their way to the final, where they were beaten 21-16, 21-17 by India’s Venkata Uneeth Krishna Bhimavarapu and Avdhesh Jat.

Completing the set of English medallists was Lisa Curtin, who took home a bronze after reaching the semi-finals in the women’s singles.

Curtin claimed an eye-catching quarter-final victory over top seed Catlyn Kruus but was beaten in the last four by Malaysia’s Siti Zulaikha.

Zulaikha had earlier accounted for Leona Lee in the quarter-finals after the English ace had compiled three consecutive straight sets wins to reach the last eight, while Lee and Curtin joined forces to reach the women’s doubles quarter-finals.

Elsewhere in the singles, Estelle van Leeuwen was beaten by eventual winner Ong Xin Yee in the second round while Tashvi Varab went one stage further before being knocked out by Lucie Krulová.

The men’s singles saw Charlie Castle reach round three, with Jason Ou and Nadeem Dalvi falling at the second round stage.

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