European Games 2019 Minsk
Kirill SKACHKOV of Russia overcame Adam SZUDI of Hungary (11-9 11-7 8-11 11-6 11-7) in the second Round of the Men’s Singles Event at the European Games in Minsk.
“I was favorite and I had to win this one but it is always easier said then done especially on the opening day. I started good had 2:0 but then. SZUDI started to risk. It made me nervous I lost third game and I was 1:3 down in fourth. I did not give up and I made quick lead to 7:3. It boosted my confidence to finish the match victoriously ” said Kirill.” Now I will meet Darko JORGIC of Slovenia. Last time we played against each other in Croatia it was 4:2 but all the games finished close. Maybe I will have slight advance by playing already one match here but this is so big tournament and I do not think that anyone will come unprepared.”
Poland’s Jakub DYJAS needed full seven games to overcame Laurens TROMER of Netherlands (11-6 10-12 11-2 11-6 8-11 8-11 11-9).
“I did not feel like I am completely in the game at the beginning but still I had a better start. In four opening games I was in control very active aggressive. My service game allowed me to play that way and then all of the sadden it was 3:3 and 5:1 for TROMER. I lost my focus he played very well. I did not lose confidence; recently I won many matches in the decisive game and that helped ” said Jakub. “BOLL is favorite in our tomorrow’s duel but I will give my best to be competitive e and to try to beat him.”
Another thriller in seven games has been seen in the match between Lubomir PISTEJ of Slovakia and Hunor SZOCS of Romania (5-11 11-6 11-8 11-5 2-11 9-11 11-9).
“We both started very nervous but I was first to get into the rhythm. SZOCS was behind but he recovered. I think I was overthinking and when I decided not to complicate to much and just to stick with my game I regained control. My service was semi long it affected my attack but when I stop thinking about that tactics and accept it everything was better.” Explained PISTEJ.
Niagol STOYANOV of Italy overcame Florent LAMBIET of Belgium (13-11 11-8 11-9 11-9).
Sam WALKER of Great Britain and Pavel PLATONOV of Belarus fired up the Tennis Olympic center in Minsk. The duel lasted full seven games (13-11 12-10 5-11 8-11 5-11 11-7 11-6).
“I won two opening sets in the very close game but in the third I let him recover. To be honest he played much better then. Pavel also won few really lucky balls in the fifth game so I had to call for time out. My coach Marcus told me to be more aggressive and I was back. The atmosphere is really great the spectators are very enthusiastic. I did not mind they were cheering for Pavel; I enjoyed the moment and it did not affect my game in bad sense ” said WALKER.
Austria’s Robert GARDOS beat Jesus CANTERO of Spain (12-10 8-11 11-7 11-5 10—12 12-10).
“It is one of those matches that none of us likes. When you have to play against club mate or teammate it is so difficult. We know each other very well; you can not depend on tactic to much. We know each other service game so it was very hard. I also think that Jesus did not manage to adjust to the table. It seams little bit slippery so player with his style of play is in bad position. Usually I would not have answer on his attack like I used to have today ” said GARDOS who will meet Krisstian KARLSSON in the third round. ”I played against him long time ago w3hen I beat him last time. He improved his game dramatically in past six-seven years. It will be very difficult.”
Anders LIND of Denmark overcame Aleksandar KARAKASEVIC of Serbia (13-11 11-3 9-11 11-8 9-11 13-11).
“I knew I had to stay focus. I could not afford to lose easy balls and I made less mistakes. Tomorrow I will meet Emmanuel LEBESSON and I also see my chance there ” said LIND who already have the title in Doubles at the European Championships Under 21 and who beat Mattias FALCK at the European Championships in the round of last 32.
Ievgen PRYSHCHEPA of Ukraine overcame Lubomir JANCARIK of Czech Republic (8-11 10-12 9-11 11-4 16-14 8-11).
Croatia’s Andrej GACINA prevailed against Hungary’s Nandor ECSEKI (11-3 11-7 11-9 11-4).
“I am satisfied with my performance. Forehand was good I did not allow him to attack me with the backhand after the service. I was ready to face the difficulties from his attack in long rallies but generally all the points concluded in two or three balls. After straight games match I have more time to recover for tomorrow’s duel against Simon GAUZY. He is better ranked so I hope I will be more relaxed.”
Greek Panagiotis GIONIS beat Luka MLADENOVIC of Luxembourg (11-8 11-6 13-11 11-7).
“I lost against him in the European league and that proved as a “good” defeat at the end. I was very cautious here. I learned that he has very specific style so different from most of players. I was aware how danger so I have to give good fous he is. Now I have more time to rest. I have to be ready for Liam PITCHJFORD. Liam improved his game he is now among top 20 players in the World so I have to play at the top level to beat him ” said GIONIS.
Slovenia’s Bojan TOKIC overcame Lithuania’s Merdardas STANKEVICIUS (3-11 11-8 8-11 11-7 11-5 12-10).
“He really surprised me. I did not expect such game from the player without the rankings and not well known. I came here in good shape but nevertheless I failed to play at the top level today. Maybe it could be good for tomorrow. I could not have bad day again. Also because of the late flight we did not manage to have training in this hall so I was unprepared for this conditions ” said TOKIC. “Next match is against Daniel HABESOHN who is better at the rankings but I still see my chances. A lot of will depend on “daily inspiration”
European silver medalist in singles Ovidiu IONESCU of Romania suffered by the hands of KOU Lei of Ukraine (13-11 8-11 5-11 11-9 6-11 8-11).
“I did not come in the top shape here. I am happy that I have opportunity to play at the European Games at all because I am coming back from the long injury. I had tennis elbow so I was out of the top training for two or three months ” explained KOU Lei. “I do not want to think about my next match. Now the pressure is not on me.”
WANG Yang of Slovakia beat Ewout OOSTWOUDER of Netherlands in straight games (11-6 11-6 11-6 11-3); Aleksandr SHIBAEV of Russia prevailed against Poland’s Marek BADOWSKI by same margin (11-6 11-8 11-4 11-9); Pavel SIRUCEK of Czech Republic lost against Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece (9-11 12-14 12-14 11-8 11-2 9-11).
