Pontoise exact revenge in Russia

December 7, 2013
12:00 am
Champions League Men

French AS Pontoise Cergy beat Russian champion UMMC at Verkhnaya Pyshma 3:1 and now both clubs have 3-1 score in Group B of Men`s European Champions League. Japanese Jun MIZUTANI who was the man of the match in first encounter (Russian team won 3:2) now lost twice from Marcos FREITAS and WANG Jian Jun. However both teams have a good chance to reach quarter final (Saarbrucken has 2-2 Eslov 0-4).

Two lefthanders opened the clash having five sets. Marcos FREITAS played one of his best games in MECL reacting very fast in many long rallies. He lost first set while next two he finished with some points in a row (2nd 5:4 10:5 3rd 8:7 11:7) starting very well in fourth (5:2) but Japanese managed to push the game into the fifth set. After 8:4 lead of Portuguese host took two consecutive points and Pontoise took the time out. After that guest ended the match with three points in a row (10:6 was fantastic long rally).

Alexander SHIBAEV leveled on 1:1 against former Charleroi`s WANG Jian Jun in four games. Russian managed to save one set ball in opening set (9:10 14:12) Chinese was better in second whilst host led the game in third in fourth.

A new clash between two lefthanders happened in third match: Kristian KARLSSON surprised the 2012 individual European vice-champion TAN Ruiwu in straight sets. Guest made a nice feat in third coming from 4:8 and 8:10 to 12:10.

Finally WANG had overcome MIZUTANI in five sets. Japanese stayed out of the focus in late opening set (9:8 10:12) and early second (0:6). He leveled on 2:2 but lost much energy and guest used that.

UMMC – AS Pontoise Cergy 1:3
Jun MIZUTANI – Marcos FREITAS 2:3 (11:7 7:11 7:11 11:9 7:11)
Alexander SHIBAEV – WANG Jian Jun 3:1 (14:12 10:12 11:6 11:9)
TAN Ruiwu – Kristian KARLSSON 0:3 (6:11 6:11 10:12)
Jun MIYUTANI – WANG Jian Jun 2:3 (10:12 4:11 12:10 11:8 4:11)

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