On the opening day of the Men’s Singles main draw at the LIEBHERR European Championships top-seeded Felix LEBRUN of France and No. 2 seed Truls MOREGARD of Sweden easily advanced.
LEBRUN defeated Abdullah YIGENLER of Turkey in straight games.
“The feeling was very good very good. Two victories so it’s okay. Since the beginning I feel good here. I like the ball the table. I feel the atmosphere is great so I think it will be a great tournament ” said LEBRUN.
Next LEBRUN will face Mattias FALCK in Round 2. The Swede overcame Lubomir JANCARIK of Czechia in a tense match.
“I thought my returns were really good actually. The last time I faced him at the Team European Championships in Malmö a year ago I lost and had some problems with his serves. Today I was able to control the game a bit better with my backhand. I was also able to vary my short returns more. It was important for me to raise the quality of my play especially in the fourth and fifth games. In the fourth game he started playing much more aggressively. He let me open up a bit and then he really powered through. In the first three games I managed to keep things short and then get into the rallies with my own play which he couldn’t keep up with. The key was good returns and taking control of the game myself.”
Looking ahead to the match against LEBRUN FALCK commented:
“Tomorrow’s match is of course a tough one. It’s going to be a fun challenge to face Felix LEBRUN. All the pressure is on him. For me it’s about playing relaxed and approaching the match as an underdog. I believe in myself. His playing style suits me quite well. Of course I have to fully believe in myself to win that match. I need to play a really strong backhand. He likes to play backhand and doesn’t back down from that side. If I can stand strong in that exchange I might make him a bit unsure.”
When asked if it was a tough draw FALCK said:
“Yes but if you look at it the other way I wasn’t thrilled to face Felix so early in the second match but I doubt he’s thrilled to face me in the second match either.”
From the qualification rounds Lubomir PISTEJ of Slovakia Adam SZUDI of Hungary and Benedek OLAH of Finland advanced to the Round of 32.
No. 5 seed Darko JORGIC of Slovenia almost faced earely exit in the match against Balasz LEI of Hungary. He was forced to sawe two match bals being down 8-10 and 2-3. He won it and in the seventh game at open point he had 8-1 lead.
Truls MOREGARD had a great time tonight delighting both spectators and himself with an entertaining performance against Belgium’s Florent LAMBIET. With powerful shots that launched the ball into the stratosphere the Swedish star put on a show.
“This is the kind of match I love. I had great fun and everything was perfect ” said MOREGARD.
Meanwhile Dimitrij OVTCHAROV of Germany defeated Ioannis SGOUROPOULOS of Greece.
“I started really well in the match and the tournament. I also started well in the fourth game but then he hit some amazing shots—he’s just got a great touch on the ball. I’m still processing the Olympics; I still think about the games in Paris. But I’m also still benefiting from my Olympic form even in the TTBL. The European Championships are one of the biggest tournaments and just a few days ago I watched my win against Vladi SAMSONOV in 2013 in Vienna. Good memories and now we’re back in Austria so I hope that’s a good sign.”
His teammate Patrick FRANZISKA triumphed over Austria’s Julian RZIHAUSCHEK.
“The singles match wasn’t perfect but it was important to stay focused and work my way into the game and the tournament. It was a long day; we’re not really used to playing three matches anymore. It used to be more common in the past. But my body feels good and I’m in a good mood. Now only tough opponents remain and I lost to GERALDO at the 2023 World Championships.”
