Last year’s silver medalist in perfect shape On his way to the semi final of the Men’s Singles Event at the European Veterans Championships Dimitry MAZUNOV of Russia showed no mercy. All four matches in main draw MAZUNOV concluded in straight games; Finland’s TANHUA Switzerland’s STUMPFECKER Austria’s KRAUS GUNTE and Swede ZETTERSTROM all failed to halt his progress.
Russia’s player won the silver medal at the last Championships. We asked him about the competition in Tampere.
“I am not sure. It seams that the competition is not as strong as the last time but it might be the case that I feeling better. It only my second appearance at the Veterans and I am still adjusting to this kind of competitions ” explained MAZUNOV.
During the active playing career Dimitriy has clinched the titles at Yugoslavia Italy and Austria Open and reached the place among best 16 at the World Championships.
“ There are many strong players here. Players from Russia Lithuania UK showed very high level of quality.”
MAZUNOV is working as a coach in Germany’s Ochsenhausen.
“We have very talented young generation of players. We are trying to implement the program which will help European players to narrow the gap with China.”
Surprisingly in the quarterfinal MAZUNOV did not play against Finland’s Pasi VALASTI as the seeding predicted. VALASTI faced unexpecting defeat in the second round against French LE PENVEN . LE PENVEN then lost two rounds latter against ZETTERSTROM.
In the semi final tomorrow MAZUNOV will meet Henrik VANDELBO of Denmark whilst Leonid IVANOV of Russia will play against Saim POLATKAN of Turkey.
