Andrey BAYBULDIN and Mariia BYKOVA of Russia were the biggest surprise at the opening day of the ROMSTAL European Mixed Doubles Championships in Buzau. They overcame Montenegro’s Irfan CEKIC and Ivana DALOVIC and top seeds in group B, great favorites Pave,
Andrey BAYBULDIN and Mariia BYKOVA of Russia were the biggest surprise at the opening day of the ROMSTAL European Mixed Doubles Championships in Buzau. They overcame Montenegro’s Irfan CEKIC and Ivana DALOVIC and top seeds in group B, great favorites Pavel PLATONOV and Alexandra PRIVALOVA of Belarus.
BAYBULDIN and BYKOVA continued in the same style today by overcoming Safa AVCI and Sanem Ezgi SAHIN of Turkey after thrilling five games duel, that concluded with 15:13 in decisive game. “I must say that we surprised even ourselves here. I have so much trouble coming in Buzau and I did not expect that we will play that good,” said BYKOVA.
The pairings are here without a coach, which made surprise even bigger. PLATONOV is currently ranked at position no. 156, whilst PRIVALOVA is placed at 123 position in the World rankings, whilst both Russia’s players are well above position no. 300. BAYBULDIN is no. 392 and BYKOVA no. 307.“I played aggressive, whilst Mariia showed steady performance,” explained 26 years old BAYBULDIN.
However, Mariia already proved as successful mixed double player. Last year with Denis GAVRILOV she won the title in Russia. “He is also left hander.”
In Russia’s Premiere league Andrey BAYBULDIN is playing for UFA, whilst Mariia BYKOVA is in Vladimir.
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