Austria’s LIU Jia, European champion from Aarhus 2005 and winner of Top-12 in Rennes same year, repeated the success at the DHS 2014 Europe Cup held this weekend in Lausanne. In the final of the prestigious event seeded. No 5 overcame no. two seed, two ti, Austria’s LIU Jia, European champion from Aarhus 2005 and winner of Top-12 in Rennes same year, repeated the success at the DHS 2014 Europe Cup held this weekend in Lausanne. In the final of the prestigious event seeded. No 5 overcame no. two seed, two times European champion Viktoria PAVLOVICH of Belarus 4:2 (11-9,6-11,7-11,11-5,14-12,11-7). “I am not playing well against players with the defensive style. That is why I needed a time to settle into the match. I was nervous, but after second game I calm down; forced myself to take time between the serves. In fifth set, after Vika failed to convert 9:4 lead I saw my chance and seized it.” LIU’s little girl is two and a half years old. Austria’s player needed some time to come back to the top and the crown in Olympic capitol is her first major title after her comeback. “I dedicate this win to my family I am sending kisses to my husband, daughter and everyone in club.” Viktoria PAVLOVICH was emotional after the match. Her passion for play makes her so vulnerable after defeats. “I started good. I knew that LIU is good on pimple game, but in the fifth game I become very nervous. I lost despite the fact I was 9:4 in the lead. She was moving good, she was very fast. I could not stop her.” Dutch player LI Jiao overcame Germany’s Petrissa SOLJA in the match for the third position 4:1 (11-4,11-5,9-11,11-9,11-8). “SOLJA knows how to play against Chinese players, penholders. She played at my backhand, and put me under pressure. Especially it was difficult in the third game, but I managed to find the answer for her attacks. I was disappointed after defeat against LIU Jia yesterday, but today I am all right. I happy with this win and I am delight I will play in at he LIEBHERR World Cup.”

In the final of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup Women’s Singles Event LIU Jia of Austria will play against Viktoria PAVLOVICH of Belarus. That is the outcome of the second day of the competition in Lausanne. In the first semi final duel LIU Jia overcame LI Jiao o, In the final of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup Women’s Singles Event LIU Jia of Austria will play against Viktoria PAVLOVICH of Belarus. That is the outcome of the second day of the competition in Lausanne. In the first semi final duel LIU Jia overcame LI Jiao of Netherlands. ”The win over LI Jiao was not surprise for me. I am always favorite against her. We played so many times against each other and she beat me only once. However I have great respect for her. She is older, very clever, experienced and you always have to give 100 percent when you play against LI. We were both very tired, but I am younger and I just kept on moving. When she took third and fifth set I was not seriously threaten,” explained LIU. In second duel Viktoria PAVLOVICH overcame Petrisa SOLJA of Germany. “SOLJA is very dangerous adversary, but I studied her game well and I knew what to do. I put the pressure on her from very beginning and managed to control the whole match.” In the quarterfinal duels LI Jiao justified her rankings. She beat Margaryta PESOTSKA of Ukraine in straight games. ”We played against each other last time at London Olympics in the Round of 32, and I beat her. However, from our last meeting she improved her game. Especially the opening stroke, she is very good now at the first ball. That made my job difficult at the start of the match, so I was forced to change the tactics. After that everything was easier.” Petrissa SOLJA came to Lausanne as youngest player. She admitted she is there to learn, but it turns out that she gave few lessons at the end. On her way to the semis she beat SAMARA yesterday and overcame Georgina POTA today.  “It was much easier match against Georgina POTA, than I was expected. Her game, with unusual topspin caused greater damage before, but today I was in control. Two opening sets finished close by narrow margin, but 2:0 gave me burst of confidence to finish the duel in much effective way. I came here as youngest player; ready to learn from the experience, but I realized that I could beat everybody. It is all in my head. That is what makes the difference between real stars and ordinary players. ” The clash between WU Jiaduo and LIU Jia brought most of the drama in morning program. LIU managed to recover from 3:0 to beat player from Germany. “I am so tired. I was not able to sleep last night. When we started today I though I could not make it. I was not playing so bad, but I was negative. In two opening games, I was not that good, but in next I raised my game. I lost it, but I gained some self-confidence. At the end I managed to recover and to win. I changed the tactics slightly, played softer and let WU made the mistakes. I did not want to attack her, because that will made her dangerous.” Another European champion Viktoria PAVLOVICH needed six games against Iveta VACENOVSKA. “I was so nervous before the quarterfinal. Last time at the European Championships I lost against VACENOVSKA in Team’s Event. She did not leave me any chances there. It was 1:3. She has a game for me, with good service and topspin, so it is always so difficult to play against her. However, today I controlled the situation. Maybe, I can say that I won easier then I predicted.” Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

Yesterday we talked about successful came back of Michael MAZE; today after he beat best ranked European player and world’s no. 6 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, it becomes amazing cameback and now Dane is only night away from miraculous recovery and title at the DHS, Yesterday we talked about successful came back of Michael MAZE; today after he beat best ranked European player and world’s no. 6 Dimitrij OVTCHAROV, it becomes amazing cameback and now Dane is only night away from miraculous recovery and title at the DHS 2014 Europe Cup. In tomorrow’s final he will meet Marcos FREITAS of Portugal. In his semi final duel MAZE left no space to OVTCHAROV to try to settle into his rhythm. MAZE changed the pace, moved German player from one side to another and produced fantastic finishes in long rallies. “I did not believe I could get that far. Especially I did not believe I could beat OVTCHAROV. That victory came to early for me. I felt good today I felt the ball well…” In their previous duel, at the quarterfinal of the Olympic Games, MAZE suffered by the hands of OVTCHAROV. Now he looked like completely different player. “At that time I could not move properly. I lived on painkillers, and I woke every morning with pain. A lot of things happened from that time. Unfortunately I had a lot of free time to study the game of best players. I improved my service game…There are few benefits from the break, but I think that my service down to line is something that made me better player now.” Adrien MATTENET faced one Portugal’s player too many yesterday. He beat Tiago APOLONIA in quarters, but Marcos FREITAS set a path for first ever title for Portugal at tournaments that gathers best 12 players from Old Continent. FREITAS succeeded in straight games. ”I knew very well Adrien MATTENET. We played and practiced together. However it has been a year since we worked together so I was little bit anxious before the game. I wondered what he had changed in his tactics. He opened the match well, put some pressure on me, made a risk and gives me hard time. I stood his challenge and after 2:0 I was in the driving seat. It is different situation when you have such advantage on your account. I was focused,” explained FREITAS. FREITAS is the only unbeaten player at the tournament so far. “I hope it will stay that way.” His performance looked even more impressive then at the opening day. “ You can not compare today’s matches to yesterday’s duels. Best of 5 and best of 7 games are totally different, not to mention different profile of the players. Yesterday, I was aware that my opportunity to get second chance is narrowed. Unlike today’s matches, when you have space to correct mistakes.” The twist of fate made us watch the duel between top favorites much earlier then the seeding predicted. All’ German clash between top seeded Dimitrij OVTCHAROV and second seed Timo BOLL, finished in favor of younger player, but for sure this quarterfinal match worthy deserved the title “final before the final”. The clash went full distance; at 3:2 BOLL saved one match point; at 3:3 four further…in fantastic exchanges of rallies. ”I could finish the match in fifth game. At 8:8 I was active in game, but I missed two balls that normally I should not. Then I faced same situation in sixth game, on match ball…I managed to convert the fourth match ball in decisive game, but only by playing point for point, not thinking about the result.” Fresh in role of father, Timo BOLL was calm after the defeat. “After my injury and illness, I have to be patient with my come back. It takes time. Still there are small things that I have to tune up; like service game today against OVTCHAROV. That was the fine line that made a difference today.” Adrien MATTENET beat Tiago APOLONIA. “Against Tiago APOLONIA I faced difficulties at the beginning of the match, but I managed to improve my service game. I served the ball close to the net and that created difficulties for Tiago. In addition it gave me further confidence to be more creative with my backhand.” Marcos FREITAS beat Alexey SMIRNOV of Russia yesterday and beat MAZE in five games. “I did not know what to expect against MAZE. I played against him seven years ago and I had no idea how he will play after the break. I won two opening sets easily, then he played much better and in fifth game I mange to won in something what was very open game.” Against SHIBAEV, FREITAS showed no weak points. “I played long time ago against SHIBAEV. I knew he have very difficult service play for lefthanders, but I was confident with my game.” The duel between MAZE and Panagiotis GIONIS also attracted great attention. However injured Greek player failed to produce the kind of game that brought him to the medal rostrum at the European Championships. “I played three sets really good, but then Panagiotis raised his game. I had to get back because in case of longer match, I will be too tired to beat him,” addmited MAZE. GIONIS was in bad shape after the duel: “My injury took its toll. We were discussing should I play here at all, but eventually I decided to come, since it will be my premiere at DHS Europe Cup.  I won top place in the group yesterday, but today it was hard to overcame MAZE. He played very vise, changed his rhythm from strong to soft balls and send me out of game. With my injury I was powerless.” Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

It was the day of great disappointed for Elizabeta SAMARA. At the edge of tears she concluded the opening day of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne with two defeats against LIU Jia of Austria and Petrissa SOLJA of Germany. Generally it was bad day for Ro, It was the day of great disappointed for Elizabeta SAMARA. At the edge of tears she concluded the opening day of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne with two defeats against LIU Jia of Austria and Petrissa SOLJA of Germany. Generally it was bad day for Romania. Daniela DODEAN MONTEIRO also failed to post a victory. She lost against Czechs Iveta VACENOVSKA and LI Jiao of Netherlands. However, we found them on very opposite positions on mood scale. SAMARA was tired and sad, whilst Daniela was full of optimism. “I am so tired. From the beginning of the year all I can remember are airports and planes. I went from one to another event. I need a rest. I need to dedicate serious time to my training. I need to get back in shape. Most of all I need to go home,” said Elizabeta. DODEAN MONTEIRO recovered from a knee surgery. “I need to play. I am hungry for tournaments. I had doubts before coming here. Doctor told me that I can play, and it was after me to decide how much pain I can take. However, I felt no pain after a long time. I am so happy I am back. I do not mind defeats; the feeling that I am in the arena again is special. Now I want to compete in Kuwait, Qatar..” Quite opposite to SAMARA’s current state. “For months I was forced to lay down with my knee secured. I was staring at my PC, following where is SAMARA. Now I can finally travel and play again. I want to get back so much. After World Championships in Paris I was absolutely out of the field. This is my job and I want to come back, for me, for my club..” And you have some extra support? “MONTEIRO was also injured, it affected his rankings, but we gave each other support and I am sure we become stronger after this.” Top seeded LI Jiao posted two victories, but face great challenge against VACENOVSKA. Player from Czech Republic stretched her to full distance. Just like LI Jiao, Viktoria PAVLOVICH of Belarus was the creator of her own fate. With two victories over WU Jiaduo of Germany and Rachel MORET of Switzerland, she could wait for the epilog of the Groups stage without any fear. At the ened it was WU who secured quarterfinal as a second in the Group. LIU Jia beat Petrissa SOLJA to join them. Petrissa also progressed to the next stage. Group 4 was lethal for another seed. HU Melek lost against Margaryta PESOTSKA, but needed full five games to beat Georgina POTA. POTA succeeded against Ukraine’s player, so they both booked quarterfinal place. Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

After defeat against Panagiotis GIONIS and five games victory over Alexander SHIBAEV, Adrian CRISAN, top seeded in Group 4 was forced to wait for the outcome of the last duel in the group between Greek and Russia’s players. Winner of two medals at the Eur, After defeat against Panagiotis GIONIS and five games victory over Alexander SHIBAEV, Adrian CRISAN, top seeded in Group 4 was forced to wait for the outcome of the last duel in the group between Greek and Russia’s players. Winner of two medals at the European Championships in Austria last year, GIONIS, lost the match but after he stretched SHIBAEV to full distance. He won the top of the standings and CRISAN concluded the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne with disappointment. “I had my chances against GIONIS, but he was better today. This tournament was hard for me. I am very tired,” said CRISAN. GIONIS concluded the day at the top spot, but his coach Konstantinos VACAKLIS was not happy after the match. “In last 15 days we are trying to repaired his injury. He played today under medical treatment and I have great doubts how he will play tomorrow. Of course he is great fighter. He played very late his last match and even after he has won two sets and secured the quarterfinal, he did not want to give up. He fought until the very last ball and wanted to win. Tomorrow he will have to go there and play in best of 7 and for a player with defensive style of play it will be kilometers of running…but I am sure he will give his best.” Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

There will be no all-German final in the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne. Already after first day of the competition the most possible scenario went with the wind. Unlike the rankings predicted, already in the quarterfinal, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV will play ag, There will be no all-German final in the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne. Already after first day of the competition the most possible scenario went with the wind. Unlike the rankings predicted, already in the quarterfinal, Dimitrij OVTCHAROV will play against Timo BOLL. However, it was not the only upset today, so on day two Tiago APOLONIA of Portugal will play against Adrien MATTENET of France, Marcos FREITAS of Portugal will meet Alexander SHIBAEV of Russia, Panagiotis GIONIS of Greece will meet Michael MAZE. Seeded no. one, OVTCHAROV suffered defeat by the hands of Tiago APOLONIA, and needed full five games to beat Robert GARDOS. However APOLONIA’S victory over Austria’s player gave him free passage to the quarters as no. two in Group 1. ”OVTCHAROV played two close matches against APOLONIA and GARDOS. Those encounters came in worst possible moment, after tough matches in European Champions League in Orenburg and tournament in Saarbrucken. Our aim is to prepare him for World Championships, so this is not disaster,” said coach Jorg ROSSKOPF . For Timo BOLL it was an easy day. He beat both Adrien MATTENET and Andrej GACINA in straight games. “For us is much more important at this point to have BOLL qualified for the World Cup, so the things are developing in right direction,” stated ROSSKOPF. Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

In the finish of the day Adrien MATTENET booked his place in the quarterfinal of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne. He lost against Timo BOLL in straight games, but secured his place in next stage with the 3:0 victory over Andrej GACINA. “Finally! After, In the finish of the day Adrien MATTENET booked his place in the quarterfinal of the DHS 2014 Europe Cup in Lausanne. He lost against Timo BOLL in straight games, but secured his place in next stage with the 3:0 victory over Andrej GACINA. “Finally! After 18 months I played good,” said MATTENET. Asked was the injury the reason for his not so good performance in period after London 2012, Adrian made a joke: “Yes injury, but of my head. I was losing games after games. I felt like I cannot win. I am glad I left that period behind. Now I am living only for present. The project that suppose to launch me to the Olympic Games in Rio started and I can also hope for brighter future.” Against GACINA Adrian improved already impressive record of three consecutive wins. “I was inspired today, played very safe and felt self-confident. Everything I have wanted, worked well. I did not make mistakes.” Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

When she has heard that DHS 2014 Europe Cup will be held in Lausanne, seven-time national Swiss champion, Rachel MORET was afraid to hope that she might play there. However when the phone rang and she received the invitation she accepted it with great del, When she has heard that DHS 2014 Europe Cup will be held in Lausanne, seven-time national Swiss champion, Rachel MORET was afraid to hope that she might play there. However when the phone rang and she received the invitation she accepted it with great delight. “I could not believe that I will receive wild card. That was fantastic,” admitted MORET. Last year Rachel reached the Round of 16 at the Universiade and that is her career best so far. “I have not play a lot on International level. That is why this tournament meant so much to me. So far I only had a chance to play against VACENOVSKA and POTA.” Not to mention that she has played in front of her home crowd. She was born in Laussane and her mother still lives here. “I concluded the competition in Group stages; I lost against WU Jiaduo and Viktoria PAVLOVICH. Never really had a chance, but it was nice to play. I was not under pressure; there was nothing to lose for me. I was not nervous, just wanted to start to play as soon as possible. Now, when it is over for me I will enjoy the matches and spend some time with my family. It is rare occasion for me.” MORET plays for French Pro B’s club Issy Les Moulineaux. “Usually I am two weeks in France and two weeks in Switzerland, but before DHS Europe Cup I stayed for whole month, because I wanted to prepare well for this tournament. “ MORET will be the member of the Swiss team for the World Championships. “We have very young generation of players. Our aim is to stay in Second Division and we are aware it will be difficult.” Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter

Agonizing wait and painful recovery are over. Michael MAZE is back. On his first tournament after brief appearance at the LIBEHERR European Championships in Austria last year, at the DHS 2014 Europe Cup, Michael MAZE reached at least the semifinal of the , Agonizing wait and painful recovery are over. Michael MAZE is back. On his first tournament after brief appearance at the LIBEHERR European Championships in Austria last year, at the DHS 2014 Europe Cup, Michael MAZE reached at least the semifinal of the Men’s Singles Event. “It is so nice to play again. After 15 months finally I am back on track. I do not want to make any predictions, and I go one step at the time,” said MAZE. At the opening day MAZE beat Alexey SMIRNOV and lost five games duel against Marcos FREITAS. He stood the challenge of playing full distance match, recovered after defeat against Portugal’s player to secure the quarterfinal in the duel against Russia’s SMIRNOV. “In Schwechat I just came to secure my staying at the rankings. I was afraid to move; now it is completely different situation. I feel good. Against FREITAS I had a bad start, but recovered to level. Thanks to my easy mistakes I lost the decisive game. On the other hand Alex was not in his best shape.” In quarterfinal MAZE beat Greek star Panagiotis GIONIS, but more then victory he underlined the fact that he is able to enjoy the game again. “Finally, after one year of hell. I do not know what to expect from future, but so far I enjoy every moment.” But certainly, you set some goals. “The time frame works for me. Until next January I do not expect a lot. Then, I hope I will be ready for 2015 World Championships and of course I will give my best to be at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. In between, we will have European championships… As I said the time is on my side. Things like this tournament, big championships, clashes with the best players are the things that motivate me. The heat from the great matches inspires me. This is what I living for and I will fight to come back on my top again.” Follow the event on Facebook and Twitter