European Championships | 24 Jan 2024

BERGENBLOCK: I Feel Amazing

The leading player in the opening stage of the Men's Event at the European Under 21 Championships in Skopje, Flavien COTON of France, concluded all three rounds in Stage 1 undefeated. He progressed to Stage 2 with Miguel PANTOJA of Spain, who upset the rankings by beating Miha PODOBNIK of Slovenia.

In Group 2, there were no problems for Simon BELIK of Czechia, but Mateusz ZELENGOWSKI lost to Daniel BERZOSA, thus failing to secure a place in the next stage. Mateusz ZALEWSKI of Poland showed no mercy in Group 3, with Andrii GREBENIUK of Ukraine following him with one defeat in the same group. European Under 21 champion in doubles, Ivor BAN of Croatia, had a 9:0 record and safely concluded the day, while Nazar TRETIAK of Ukraine followed him from the second position.

In Group 5, Tommaso GIOVANNETTI of Italy was first as the rankings predicted, but Andre KASES of Austria upset the order with a better game ratio, as three players in the group had three defeats – the Austrian, Filip DELINCAK of Slovakia, and Arnau PONS of Spain.

From the bottom of Group 6, William BERGENBLOCK of Sweden launched himself to the top with three wins. Wim VERDONSCHOT of Germany was second, leaving Tom CLOSSET of Belgium and Samuel ARPAS of Slovakia behind.

“I feel amazing, playing very well. I think I receive well, serve well, and generally play a good game. It is too early to tell the outcome; at the moment, I just play, don’t think too much, try to play my game, and I have a good chance by just playing my game. It is too early to tell if I will become a surprise of this tournament. I will give my best and focus on one game at a time,” said 16-year-old BERGENBLOCK.

Also progressing to the next stage were Borna PETEK of Croatia and Louis LAFFINEUR of Belgium, Andre BERTELSMEIER of Germany, and European under-15 champion in Singles Tiago ABIODUN of Portugal, Andrea PUPPO of Italy, Tom SCHWEIGER of Germany, Lei BALASZ of Hungary, Kas VAN OOST of Netheralnds, Connor GREEN of England, Ivan HENCL and Leon BENKO of Croatia and Matthias DANZER of Germany.