2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Montreux February 8-9
The competition at the 2020 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup in Montreux commenced with the upset but there was no lack of excitement in all following matches in the Round of 16.
The first favorite excited the tournament in the very first match of the day in Salle Omnisport du Pierrier. No. four seed Simon GAUZY of France lost to WANG Yang of Slovakia seeded at the position no. 14 – 3:4 (11:8 9:11 11:6 9:11 13:11 7:11 10:12).
The clash between Simon GAUZY and WANG Yang went full distance. Unlike their last meeting at the quarterfinal of the World Championships when Simon won in straight games this time WANG was the one who celebrates.
“When I saw the draw I was everything but happy but I could not escape the fate. I prepared for the match luckily now I was ready for his style of play. As the game progressed I kept on fighting and at 3:3 I thought I will lose but then Simon started to be nervous. He made mistakes and I seized my opportunity ” said WANG Yang.
It was Vladimir SAMSONOV’s 23rd appearance at the Top 16 Cup but on his premiere it was Darko JORGIC who left the arena with the big smile after their Round of 16 clash 4:1 (8:11 11:4 11:9 11:7 12:10).
“I have incredible few weeks behind me. For a first time I qualified for the Olympics for a first time I am playing at Top 16. It is just great period for me ” said Darko JORGIC.” Against SAMSONOV it was crucial to stay strong mentally. You have to play for each ball stay in the focus more than everything.”
Mattias FALCK of Sweden overcame Emmanuel LEBESSON of France after a fierce battle 4:2 (3:11 13:11 12:10 11:6 7:11 14:12).
“I was prepared for close match. His quality is not to be denied. His service-receive game was very good and I had to play at the top level ” said FALCK.
Robert GARDOS of Austria overcame Jonathan GROTH of Denmark 4:2 (11:8 11:7 7:11 4:11 11:6 11:8).
“I was little bit nervous; I even changed my back-hand rubber before the match and then I lost three points on back-hand…I guess the change did not work well. Also he beat me twice recently in straight games so it was not an easy match ” said GARDOS.” I am in much better shape now and this venue suits me better. It is smaller than arena we were playing last time; it is much faster. In the open game GROTH felt uncomfortable and I seized my opportunity.”
In the Women’s Round of 16 Britt EERLAND overcame 2018 champion Bernadette SZOCS of Romania (9:11 11:9 11:8 11:8 11:7).
“My service game was very good but I had to use all my mental strength to beat her. Bernadette is the kind of the player who never gives up. Even when you are on the lead you are far from safe. She does not give any gifts; you have to work hard for each point. In addition she is very dangerous in “mind” games. I have to stay calm and to focus on my game otherwise I will be on her ground and lose ” said Britt EERLAND.
Margaryta PESOTSKA of Ukraine beat Dora MADARASZ of Hungary 2:4 (4:11 9:11 13:11 11:9 4:11 10:12).
“It was important to me to play faster than Dora. I used that tactics at the beginning of the match and it paid off I was in the lead. However when I slowed down when I started to block she leveled to 2:2. I had to take the risk to play spin on spin. Any slower game will made us equal and eventually I will lose ” said Margaryta PESOTSKA.
HAN Ying of Germany overcame Hana MATELOVA of Czech Republic in straight games (12:10 11:8 11:2 11:6).
“It is my first Top 16 and I was nervous at the beginning. When I saw the draw and got Hana I thought it will not be easy but I can manage it. It was good match for the beginning of the tournament. I was sick not fully recovered for German Open and I am still recovering here so it was very good for me that I stayed short in arena ” said HAN Ying.
NI Xia Lian overcame Polina MIKHAILOVA in five games 1:4 (7:11 5:11 4:11 13:11 6:11). Everyone expected such outcome since she is famous of a good game against players with defensive style but NI disagree it was that predictable. Also she admitted that she is never too old to learn more.
“Last time we meet at the Croatia open in the quarterfinal last year. Polina was in the lead all the time. In the seventh game she had 9:8 but I won it. I remembered how much difficulties I had and I prepared well this time. I study her matches. In addition I improved my game since the last time and yes… I am happy there is still a room for me to improve ” said NI Xia Lian.
