Since yesterday, the Romanian city of Timisoara plays host to the 13th edition of the Romanian International, an International Series tournament, which offers a total prize money of 5.000 US Dollars. This year's edition alignes 170 players from 35 countries.

England's current men's & women's singles champions Sam Parsons and Nicola Cerfontyne, last year's winners of men's and women's doubles finals Zvonimir Durkinjak (pictured) & Zvonimir Hoelbling from Croatia and Ramona Hacks & Barbara Bellenberg from Germany respectively, last year's runner up in women's singles Laura Sarosi from Hungary have entered the tournament as well as 17 Romanian players, among them Andra Olariu, women's singles champion, former national champion in men's doubles Robert Ciobotaru & Daniel Cojocaru, former women's singles champion Sonia Olariu and Collins Filimon, the best ranked Romanian junior, 18th on BWF junior world ranking.

New scoring system to be tested

The scoring system of this tournament will be the best of five games of eleven points. At 10-all, the player/pair wins the game when a two point lead is achieved, or first to 15 when the score reaches 14-all.

On Thursday afternoon, the tournament commenced with the qualification matches and will continue today with the games of the main draw.

Click here for all previous champions
Click here for the draw of the tournament

Article provided by Corina Dan.
Photos by BadmintonPhoto.