Huge cheers at the Liebherr European Championships in the TipsArena of Linz: Sofia Polcanova/Robert Gardos reached the mixed doubles semifinals and thus they are on the podium again after winning bronze at the 2022 European Championships.
The Austrian had to go over five games in the first two rounds, played great for long stretches in the quarterfinals against the Serbian pairing Dimitrije Levajac/Izabela Lupulesku. The fourth-seeded players won the match clearly by 3-0. This means that the pair is guaranteed another European Championship medal, the color will be decided on Friday. On Friday afternoon, they will face the qualifiers from Germany, Annett Kaufmann/Patrick Franziska, for a place in the final.
In the meantime, Sofia Polcanova also played her first round doubles match alongside the Romanian Bernadette Szócs. The reigning European champions dominated the Ukrainians Solomiya Brateyko/Veronika Matiunina, winning clearly by 3-0. In the men’s competition, the Austrian star double Robert Gardos and Daniel Habesohn is also in the round of 16. The 2022 European vice-champions had to go the full distance against Dimitrije Levajac (SRB)/Andrei Putuntica (MDA), however, winning the decider 11-8 after being down by 0-6. Maciej Kolodziejczyk and Vladimir Ursu (MDA) were also able to celebrate their entry into the round of 16 after a 3-2 victory over the Belgians Martin Allegro/Adrien Rassenfosse. The double managed to turn a two-set deficit around and came out on top in the decider with 11-5. Karoline Mischek, who had made it into the main draw with Nikoleta Puchovanova (SLK), had to throw in the towel in the doubles after losing in the first round to the French Leana Hochart/Nina Guo.
Quotes:
Robert Gardos:
“It was a huge amount of work, we have managed mentally for the last two days. The program is extremely tight, but we handled it superbly. Our semi-final opponents Franziska/Kaufmann (GER) are a very good, I think the chances are 50/50.”
Sofia Polcanova:
“I think my performance was better than yesterday. I was really nervous in the morning during our first game, but then I managed it well. Physically I’m fine, playing in a European Championship is always unusual, we don’t normally have four matches a day. A lot of it happens in your head, so you have to be strong.”
Daniel Habesohn:
“The atmosphere was great, I’ve never been able to sign so many autographs after a match in Austria. In terms of playing, it was a bit bumpy. It was my first match here in Linz, I had problems getting used to the material, and my partner Gardos was still working on the timing. But we got it under control as the game progressed and made fewer simple mistakes at the end than at the beginning. That was the key to the victory.”
Stefan Fegerl (ÖTTV sports director):
“Congratulations to Sofia and Robert, they kept their nerve and fulfilled the expectations so far. The medal is very good and it is a great motivation for our entire team for the rest of the tournament. I am also extremely pleased with the sensational performances of our younger guard. Nina Skerbinz in particular, but also Julian Rzihauschek and Anastasia Sterner, who are celebrating their European Championship debut here in Linz have been able to put on a great show so far. Of course the bar is set higher for them now, they can go into their games without pressure and play freely.”
