Tournaments

2018 European U21 Championships

Tournament News
Belgosstrakh 2018 Europe Under 21

Rares Sipos in form, surprise semi-finalist

11 Mar 2018

Quarter-finalist earlier in the year at the 2017 ITTF World Junior Curcuit Finals in Luxembourg, Romania’s Rares Sipos emerged the surprise semi-finalist in the Men’s Singles event at the 2018 Belgosstrakh European Under 21 Championships in Minsk, Belarus on Saturday 10th March.

The no.8 seed, he reserved his place in the last four in an event, where for the majority of the leading names, matters went according to plan; the Czech Republic’s Tomas Polansky and Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic, the respective top two seeds, duly progressed as did Cristian Pletea, the no.4 seed and like Rares Sipos from Romania.

Rares Sipos surprising himself (Photo: Vladimir Zdanovich)

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Manager 

After accounting for the Czech Republic’s Stanislav Kucera (9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-4, 11-3) he beat the man in form; he overcame Jiri Martinko, also from the Czech Republic (11-4, 8-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 11-8), the first round winner in opposition to Austria’s Andreas Levenko, the no.3 seed (12-10, 11-6, 8-11, 11-8, 11-13, 11-8).

“To tell the truth, it was the miracle that I beat Jiri. I saw Martinko crush Levenko today. I was like “Oh my God, am I supposed to beat him?” He caused me some big problems in this match; he produced great backhands, safe forehands and used intricate services. It’s just incredible that I’m the winner here, after all.” Rares Sipos after success against Jiri Martinko

Defeat for Andreas Levenko but not for the other celebrated names with Tomas Polansky setting the example. He overcame Russia’s Vladimir Sidorenko (6-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-9, 11-9, 11-7) followed by success against Hungary’s Csaba Andras (11-6, 11-3, 11-5, 11-8) to reserve his last four place.

“I can say quite confidently that I was stronger in this match. Andras did not surprise me, he did not do anything special; his strokes were weaker than mine, so I’m not surprised with my victory. I was a bit tired on the first day of the competition but I am back to rock now.” Tomas Polansky

Hard fought contests, it was the same for Cristian Pletea. He accounted for Slovenia’s Deni Kozul (11-6, 5-11, 7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-3) prior to emerging successful in opposition to Ioannis Sgouropoulos of Greece (8-11, 11-7, 8-11,6-11, 11-4, 11-9, 12-10).

“It is a surprise for me that I have won this match. Sgouropoulos put so many balls on the table, his returns drove me mad. I mobilized myself and fought point by point, step by step.” Cristian Pletea after playing Ioannis Sgouropoulos

Likewise, Darko Jorgic was tested. He overcame Poland’s Marek Badowski (7-11, 11-6, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6) and Moldova’s Andrei Putuntica (11-5, 8-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-5) to secure his place, as last year, in the last four.

At the semi-final stage Tomas Polansky meets Rares Sipos, Cristian Pletea opposes Darko Jorgic; play concludes in Minsk on Sunday 11th March.

Belgosstrakh 2018 Europe Under 21 Rares Sipos

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