Medals in the Men’s Singles event at the 2021 GAZPROM European Under 21 Championships in Spa are already secured. In tomorrow’s semi final will play Lev KATSMAN of Russia against Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece and Irvin BERTRAND of France will meet Maksim GREBNEV of Russia.
In the quarterfinal KATSMAN overcame Fanbo MENG of Germany (16:14 15:13 8:11 11:7 5:11 16:14) in nailbitting duel. BERTRAND also had a very difficult match against Ivor BAN of Croatia (9:11 11:9 1:4 11:7 17:15). GREBNEV saved some energy by finishing his match in straight games against Romania’s Rares SIPOS (11:6 11:7 13:11 11:4). SGOUROPOULOS faced difficulties at the beginning of the duel against Bastien BERTRAND of France (9:11 11:9 11:4 11:7 17:15) but then he started to control the match.
In the Round of 16 Carlo ROSSI of Italy no. 40 seed stretched player no. 3 at the list SGOUROPOULOS to the limits 3:4 (11:7 11:8 6:11 8:11 11:9 5:11 9:11) but he failed to reach the next round. Italian player had 2:0 then 3:2 but winner from 2019 recovered to win the match.
Samuel KULCZYCKI of Poland also was close to beat the odds by overcoming no. 7 Fanbo MENG 3:4 (11:9 11:9 8:11 9:11 8:11 11:9 6:11) but after the close duel MENG justified his rankings. Lev KATSMAN inflicted the pain in the harts of the host nation supporters by overcoming Adrien RASSENFOSSE in thrilling seven games 4:3 (10:12 11:8 13:11 12:14 8:11 11:5 11:8).
Bastien REMBERT of France needed only four games to prevail in the match against Olav KOSOLOSKY of Belgium 4:0 (11:8 11:9 11:5 11:8).
The lower half of the draw provided less dramatic encounters. Irvin BERTRAND prevailed against Cristian PLETEA of Romania in straight games (11:3 11:9 11:6 11:6) and Ivor BAN was also in the fast lane in the match against Cedric MEISSNER of Germany (11:7 11:9 11:5 11:9).
Nicolas DEGROS of Belgium took only one game from Rares SIPOS of Romania (16:14 8:11 8:11 3:11 8:11). It was the same case scenario in the duel between Leo DE NODREST of France and Maksim GREBNEV (13:15 7:11 9:11 11:5 4:11).
