Therese is superior, the champion vulnerable

SINOP - The Japan's opposition is less strong as it was expected so far, but Therese Klompenhouwer still must be on her guard at the World's ladies championship in Sinop. The first day of the championship closed with the conclusion that the Dutch champion is miles above the others on average.

The undisputed favorite for the title has 1.063 after two matches, against Jeanette Jensen (25 in 9) and Yuko Nishimoto (25 in 28). The third opponent for tomorrow, the Turkish substitute Arzu Gok, a very modest player, will not threat her at all.

Therese Klompenhouwer is definitely the quarters after one day of playing. That does not apply to her main competitor, Higashiuchi Natsumi, who faced a huge relapse after a good start. The Japanese, reigning champion could just escape against the Korean Shin Young Lee with a draw in the equalizer: 25-25 in 45 innings.

Gülsen Degener recovered in that group after her very poor start and won her second match against Marianne Mortensen 25-13 in 22 innings. The Turkish player has still chances to qualify, but needs a win over Higashiuchi.

The Japanese champion wondered what happened to her between her two matches. ,,I felt so good in my first game, but then suddenly I lost my feelings. That's why I'm in trouble now. I need to win against Gülsen, who played a very strong second match.''

Yuko Nishimoto battles with Jeanette Jensen for the second place in Group B. The Danish won her second match vs Arzu Gok (25-19 in 51) and therefore kept chances to enter the quarters.

Karina Jetten (Group C) and Orie Hida (Group D) are unbeaten after two rounds and are already in the best eight. The Dutch number two makes a rock solid impression and defeated both Guzin Karakasli (25-14) and Helga Mitterböck (25-9) in 32 innings.

Orie Hida was not in trouble against Christine Morel (25-11 in 30) and bested Danielle le Bruyn (25-18 in 33) in her second. De Bruyn needs a win in her last match to join the players in the knock-out stage.

Two other Turkish players enjoyed the audience in the final round with a victory. Aysegul Fendi defeated French woman Christine Morel 25-10 in 41 innings. Guzin Karakasil beat Spanish Estela Cardoso 25-15 in 29.

The last group matches are tomorrow (Saturday):

11:00 Turkish time:

Group A: Higashiuchi-Degener, Lee-Mortensen

Group B: Klompenhouwer-Gok, Nishimoto-Jensen

13.00:

Group C: Jetten-Cardoso, Mitterböck-Karakasli 

Group D: Hida-Fendi, Le Bruyn-Morel.