Europe Top-16 Cup | 20 Jan 2024

Alexis LEBRUN overcame top seeded Felix to reach the semi final

Photo: Rémy Gros

in the semi final of the 2024 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup Truls MÖREGÅRD will meet Alexis LEBRUN and Darko JORGIC will play against Marcos FREITAS. In the Women's event Sofia POLCANOVA will meet Nina MITTELHAM and Bernadette SZOCS will play against Jia Nan YUAN.

Felix LEBRUN – Alexis LEBRUN 2-4 (11-8, 3-11, 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 9-11)

No. 1 seed Felix LEBRUN is out, and he suffered at the hands of his brother, Alexis. The No. 8 seed is the first European player who overcame Felix in the last seven months.

“I cannot recall playing this well like I did today. I think since the European Games, I have not had such a high level of game,” stated Alexis.

Felix won the opening game before Alexis recovered to level. Once again at 3-1, Felix managed to score but failed to push the match into the decider.

“Felix played incredibly well, not only now, but for so many months consistently. But I know I could beat him if I stick to good tactics. The main problem was to stay on that path and endure the physical challenges. He is always aggressive, and he never gives up. When I saw the draw, I saw my chances. I feel I can beat him, but it was difficult to keep my head cold when I started winning,” explained Alexis LEBRUN.

Darko JORGIC – Anton KALLBERG 4-2 (11-4, 5-11, 11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5)

The reigning champion concluded day one at the 2024 CCB Europe Top 16 Cup with a victory. The No. 5 seed overcame Anton KALLBERG of Sweden, who is seeded one place below on the list.

“I knew how difficult it was going to be. We play against each other 500 times each year in the Bundesliga, Champions League, Cups, Championships, tournaments... I know what to expect, he knows what to expect; it was clear from the start... There were a few games when one player caught the rhythm, it meant a quick end. In most of the games, a quick lead was the end of the game. The exception was the fourth game when I almost recovered from 7-1... I am happy with how I played. I saw that Anton was under pressure. He did not hit the backhands that he usually does in the Bundesliga, like he did in the last match that we played. In addition, I was much more aggressive than I was in the opening match today,” said JORGIC.

Prithika PAVADE – Sofia POLCANOVA 1-4 (12-14, 9-11, 12-10, 8-11, 5-11)

The reigning European champion is in good shape again. Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria overcame Prithika PAVADE of France led by a fantastic atmosphere in Switzerland.

“I am feeling great here. I love to play in Montreux, and I hope we will return next year too,” said POLCANOVA.

POLCANOVA stated that the possibility to play in front of the fully packed tribunes gives her extra motivation and that it helped tonight against determined PAVADE.

“I played against her in 2021 in Tema's event at the European Championships, and I lost. She is very young and a rising star. She is playing very clever, but I was prepared for that. In addition, I believed in myself. I played well and moved fast. I was enjoying the fight and playing for each point. That was important at the end,” stated POLCANOVA.

Truls MÖREGÅRD – Dimitrij OVTCHAROV 4-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-8, wo)

Truls MÖREGÅRD of Sweden progressed to the semifinal after Dimitrij OVTCHAROV was forced to withdraw in the third game due to injury.

“I played fantastically until the end. I saw that he suffered in the final stages, but I also know how experienced and what a big fighter he is, and that Dima could return. We are good friends, and I am sorry this happened to him. I know that he would not give up if he was not in big pain,” said MÖREGÅRD.

He will meet the winner of the match between Felix LEBRUN and Alexis LEBRUN.

“I play well here. Now I will wait for the outcome of the strange match between two brothers. Felix is under severe pressure here, but he always makes the best of it; pressure works for him,” said Truls.

OVTCHAROV stated that he was not sure about the nature of his injury.

“In the third game, I felt pain on the right side of my body between the ribs. I am not sure what it is.”

Nina MITTELHAM - Yu FU 4-0 (11-8, 11-6, 11-6, 11-5)

Nina MITTELHAM of Germany showed no mercy against Yu FU of Portugal.

“I am happy with the outcome after the first day here. I was a little bit nervous at the beginning of the match against FU, but as the game progressed, I got better and better. I came here well-prepared. Against Sofia POLCANOVA, it will not be easy, but I am satisfied with my performance now,” said MITTELHAM.

Bernadette SZOCS – Natalia BAJOR 4-3 (11-6, 8-11, 4-11, 10-12, 11-4, 11-7, 11-6)

At one point tonight, both top seeds were 1-3 down, but unlike Felix LEBRUN, Romania's Bernadette SZOCS recovered to win the duel against Natalia BAJOR of Poland.

“I started very well at the beginning. I won the opening game, and I had 4-1 in the second one. Then Natalia won that game and continued to play very powerfully. She had a good tactic against me. On the other side, I was in too much hurry, I did not have the patience, and that pushed me into the situation where I was losing 1-3,” said SZOCS.

At the brink of defeat, SZOCS managed to come back.

“You must be patient against a player like BAJOR is. You have to put many balls on the table. That was what I did. This time my game was much better and I was confident with my performance, but I was not with my tactics. I had to change. I said I am better, I cannot accept to lose. That is what pushed me to victory,” said SZOCS.

Jia Nan YUAN – Elizabeta SAMARA 4-0 (11-5, 11-7, 11-8, 11-8)

Jia Nan YUAN of France progressed to the semifinals after a straight games victory over Elizabeta SAMARA of Romania.

“When I found out that I am going to play against SAMARA, I knew it is going to be a tough one. The victory over NI gave me confidence, but nevertheless, I was cautious. When the match started, I was much calmer. I forced myself not to think much ahead. I played point by point. Tomorrow I will play against Bernie, and that will be even more difficult,” said YUAN.

Dang QIU – Marcos FREITAS 2-4 (11-6, 8-11, 11-13, 8-11, 11-9, 8-11)

Marcos FREITAS of Portugal beat European champion Dang QIU of Germany to reach the second day of play in Montreux.

“It is the first time that I beat him. As everybody knows, he is a very complete player, so I knew that I have to be at the top of my shape. That is exactly how I played in recent months. At the beginning, I wanted to win the game, to win two... but from the start, I was very safe in the rallies. I was good in the service-receive game. He came back after I had 3-1 and 6-1 in the fifth game. He played unbelievable shots; top-level, but I managed to stay calm. I had a good advantage, and this was the best of seven games matches. It is like a marathon... I am glad that I managed to win two matches today,” said FREITAS.