Marcos FREITAS of Portugal concluded the DHS 2014 Europe Cup unbeaten after three days of fierce battles. In the final he halted the fantastic run of Michael MAZE and beat him for a second time at the tournament. This time he did it in straight games. (11,
Marcos FREITAS of Portugal concluded the DHS 2014 Europe Cup unbeaten after three days of fierce battles. In the final he halted the fantastic run of Michael MAZE and beat him for a second time at the tournament. This time he did it in straight games. (11-7,11-6,11-8,11-7).
“I am happy that I won this tournament. It is easy to play at the top level one or two months, but so far it has been two season that I keep my performance at the highest level. I beat all the top players here to prove it once again. Now when I prove it to myself too, I can set for another goal; now I need to overcame best Chinese players.”
Is that a goal for this season? “Now, when I speak after this victory, I feel I can rule the World, – admitted Freitas with the smile. – But the point is that it will not happen in two or three weeks. It is my aim and I hope I will be able to do it in recent future.”
The player of AS Pontoise Cergy thanked his club. “I did not have special preparations, but my club gave me two weeks off from duties in the team in order to prepare. I grateful for that, because it meant a lot for my success to do the training without interruptions.”
In the final game FREITAS gave no chance to MAZE. “Table tennis is the complex sport. The win depends on many factors, but I find the stability in improvement of service and receive game. When you are good in that segment it helps you a lot and it opens the chances.”
The defeat is never easy, but MAZE has little to regret after tournament in Lausanne. “I do not want to take anything from Marcos’ win today. He was at the top of the game. I was tired and could not move fast and you need to be in top shape if you want to beat him. His game was mistakes free, and for me there was not much left in the bag. I am satisfied with my performance this weekend, but it will take time before I bring the stability in my game. I need more practice, more matches, more good and even more bad matches to come back and to be better then I was,”said Michael MAZE.
In the duel for the third position Dimitrij OVTCHAROV overcame Adrian MATTENET in six games match (11-8, 2-11,11-8, 9-11, 16-18, 10-12). Despite victory, top seed was not very happy at the end of the competition, but had to admit: :”At the end I can not be too disappointed. I concluded the Event at position no. three. In the match against Timo BOLL, here in Lausanne, I proved once again that I could succeed against top level players…”
He was unable to settle into right rhythm against French representative. “Match against MATTENET went on my account by I can not say I played well. It was far from my best performances; it started bad and I was struggling all the way until the end.”
