Poland’s Milosz REDZIMSKI secured victory once again in the Men’s Singles Event at the European Under 21 Championships in Skopje successfully defending his title. In the final he overcame his teammate Maciej KUBIK. The bronze medals went to Thibault PORET of France and Andre BERTELSMEIER of Germany.
REDZIMSKI has made history by becoming the first player to retain a singles title in the EC U21. Previously only Özge YILMAZ and Ece HARAC from Turkey in women’s doubles had achieved this feat. Additionally REDZIMSKI has further etched his name in the record books by becoming the first player ever to win two titles in a single EC U21 event.
The 17-year-old REDZIMSKI the runner-up at the Under 19 event in Gliwice last year faced his teammate in the closing stages of the event just as he did in the previous edition. Last year in Sarajevo it was in the semis when he faced Samuel KULCZYCKI This time he defeated Maciej KUBIK (11-9 11-9 11-3 7-11 9-11 11-9).
“This time I started much better. I created a wide gap with 3-0 from the beginning. From that point Maciej changed the tactics a bit especially service. However I was ready for every ball. I saved a lot of high balls ” explained REDZIMSKI.
In the first semi-final match Maciej KUBIK overcame Thibault PORET of France after recovering from 1-2 in reverse (11-9 8-11 6-11 11-8 11-5 11-5).
“In previous occasions and I think we played three times before I beat him but I think that made him ready for this match. He was prepared and at the beginning I had a problem finding the way to answer his game. I struggled with the receive. In the third game I forced myself to stop thinking about the receive and to follow the game. My service improved and I regained control ” said Maciej KUBIK.
After a fantastic run Andre BERTELSMEIER of Germany was halted in the semifinal by the reigning champion Milosz REDZIMSKI (15-13 8-11 7-11 8-11 9-11).
“I commenced well but after 5-1 I lost focus. Andre played very well and he moved so good. He was very fast unlike me ” admitted REDZIMSKI. “His good results here gave him confidence and power. Also his forehand is very dangerous so I had to aim for corners. However I managed to reduce the stress and to start playing better.”
