The ultimate round of Group Stage in Men’s Singles Event at the 2021 GAZPROM European Under 21 Championships in Belgium’s Spa brought dramatic moments. One of the greatest matches at the Championships so far has been seen in Group A and involved Lev KATSMAN of Russia and Dimitrije LEVAJAC of Serbia.
The day commenced with Lev KATSMAN topping the standings with two wins followed by top seeded Cristian PLETEA of Romania with one less as well as it had Dimitrije LEVAJAC of Serbia. PLETEA did all he can do and beat Artur GRELA of Poland in five games before he moved to tribunes to follow in agony what is happening in the match between LEVAJAC and KATSMAN.
On everyone’s surprise LEVAJAC left KATSMAN with only one point in opening game then win the next one lose third by narrow margin and put the fourth on his account as well.
“I needed only one game to pass to the knock out stage but LEVAJAC took me by the surprise. I know how good he can play but today he played one of his best matches in the career. I said I needed only one game to pass but I never love to lose and the defeat before the start of the Round of 16 could really put me in bad spirit so I fought hard to prevent it. At 2:2 he played unbelievable rallies he blocked he was on fire. I managed to make 3:3 but then again he had advantage 8:6. Only in the last moments I changed the service to his forehand; it paid of and I finished it with the win by narrow margin ” explained KATSMAN.
At the end of the thriller PLETEA was equally relieved. He also pass to the knock out phase.
“Lev saved me. I will never let this happen again. It is so unbelievable hard when your fate depends on someone else ” said PLETEA.
No. two seed Rares SIPOS progressed further despite the defeat previous day against Matteo MUTTI of Italy. Today he overcame Adrien RASSENFOSSE of Belgium. However Belgium’s representative will also play in the Round of 16 thanks to previous victories over Vladislav URSU of Moldova and MUTTI.
“As it happened before I lost the opening match and I still managed to go through. I was not very worry I am confident with my play here ” said SIPOS.
From the Group C Greek player Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS and Maksim GREBNEV of Russia moved to best 16 whilst no 4 seed Vladimir SIDORENKO of Russia failed to follow. From Group D Irvin BERTRAND of France and Carlo ROSSI of Italy progressed further. In the Round of 16 will also play Bastien REMBER of France and Ivor BAN of Croatia Leo NORDEST of France and Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland Fanbo MENG of Germany and Niciolas DEGROS of Belgium Cedric MEISSNER of Germany and Olav KOSOLOSKY of Belgium.
