This year Croatia’s Tomislav PUCAR will play at the China Construction Bank Europe Top 16 Cup for a fourth time. In Montreux on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th February PUCAR hopes to come close to his best resultat achieved at the same place in 2020 when he was fourth.
For the most of the players in Switzerland the last tournament before CCB Europe Top 16 Cup was the WTT Contender Amman. In the opening round of the singles PUCAR lost to the top seeded player Darko JORGIC of Slovenia.
“Darko and I knows each other from the childhood. We are very good friends and during all these years we trained together so many times. In addition we played against each other many times and we are very familiar with the each other’s performance . In recent duels he beat me many times but few times I came close. I hope the next clash will end in my favor ” said PUCAR.
JORGIC is no. two seed in Montreux. PUCAR continued to praise his game.
“It is no coincidence that he is defending the title in Montreux. He is still main favorite for the title this year. “
What about your shape are you ready for Montreux?
“I am little bit sick now but I hope I will get well for Montreux. I came home from Jordan and now I will give myself few days for rest and then I will start to build my shape for Switzerland. Top 16 Cup is one of the most important tournaments in the calendar every season and I want to be ready for the challenge.”
The challenge is great for sure. The list of players is equally impressive as always. Top seed is Truls MOREGARD followed by JORGIC Dang QIU and Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany Kristian KARLSSON of Sweden Liam PITCHFORD of England Andrej GACINA of Croatia Simon GAUZY of France Marcos FREITAS of Portugal WANG Yang of Slovakia Robert GARDOS of Austria Jonathan GROTH of Denmark Joao GERALDO of Portugal Elias HARDMEIER of Switzerland and Emmanuel LEBESSON of France.
“As I said already JORGIC is top favorite but it is hard to predict the medal rostrum. I think we will have open tournament until the end with lot of close and thrilling games ” stated PUCAR.
Speaking of his best moment at the tournament PUCAR underlined year of 2020.
“This is my fourth appearance and so far the best moment was when I reached the semifinals on my premiere at Top 16. This year I wish to stay healthy and to be able to play at my best level. By doing so I am sure that the good result will come. I am very happy that I have a chance to play at such prestige tournament.”
