A strong finish saw Tin-Tin Ho end in sixth place at the Europe Youth Top 10 in Prague.
The Londoner was seeded ninth in the Junior Girls’ event and had to wait until her fifth match to notch a victory against the host nation’s Nikita Petrovova.
That remained her only victory going into the final day, although she had chances at 3-1 up against third seed Audrey Zarif and 2-0 ahead against eighth seed Maria Malanina.
Second seed Andreea Dragoman shaded it in round seven, but two wins in her final two matches, against fifth seed Marie Migot and seventh-ranked Daria Trigolos, saw Ho end in sixth.
Ho said:
“It was really difficult, to be honest, especially at the start. I think mentally I wasn’t as I should have been and I had a few chances but didn’t take them.
“Today, I played better. I was in a better position in my head and it was close against Dragoman and then I managed to win the two matches.
“It was a great opportunity and I’ve learned a lot from it. Finishing sixth was a nice surprise and I’m definitely more motivated now and I believe I can win matches at this level.”
Zarif took the title on countback ahead of Romanian pair Dragoman and top seed Adina Diaconu, who she beat 4-0 in the final round.
The Junior Boys’ event was won by Tomas Polansky of the host nation with a 100% win ratio across his nine matches. The Cadet Boys’ title went to Truls Moregard of Sweden, with Anastasia Kolish of Russia taking the Cadet Girls.
Results
Zhang Xuan (ESP, 6) bt Tin-Tin Ho 4-1 (9-11, 11-8, 11-5, 12-10, 11-6)
Ning Jing (AZE, 4) bt Ho 4-0 (11-8, 11-6, 15-13, 12-10)
Audrey Zarif (FRA, 3) bt Ho 4-3 (9-11, 11-8, 7-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6)
Adina Diaconu (ROU, 1) bt Ho 4-2 (11-8, 11-4, 11-7, 8-11, 8-11, 11-7)
Ho bt Nikita Petrovova (CZE, 10) 4-0 (11-6, 11-2, 13-11, 11-4)
Maria Malanina (RUS, 8) bt Ho 4-2 (7-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-9, 11-5)
Andreea Dragoman (ROU, 2) bt Ho 4-2 (11-9, 5-11, 11-8, 2-11, 11-2, 14-12)
Ho bt Marie Migot (FRA, 5) 4-1 (12-10, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-3)
Ho bt Daria Trigolos (BLR, 7) 4-1 (9-11, 11-8, 12-10, 11-2, 11-3)