by Ian Marshall, Editor
Occupying the no.9 seeded position, they experienced excruciating defeat; they were beaten by the very narrowest of margins, suffering at the hands of Germany’s Ruwen Filus and Han Ying, the no.2 seeds (11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 13-15, 12-10).
“It was a very tough match because we faced very experienced adversaries. In every game we had an advantage but as soon as we become too passive they were back in game. In second and fourth games we had huge lead, 8-3 and 7-3 but we lost.” Han Ying
Defeat and for Aleksandar Karakasevic and Ruta Paskauskiene; is it the last we will see of them together or apart at a European Championships? Aleksandar Karakasevic is 42 years old, Ruta Paskauskiene one year younger. Both have now finished their itinerary of matches in Alicante; Ruta Paskauskiene being quite clear on the opening day of play that the Liebherr 2018 World Championships would be her swansong.
She departs as one of the most successful players in the history of the tournament; seven gold medals. The Women’s Singles winner in 2008 in St Petersburg, with Russia’s Oksana Fadeeva, the Women’s Doubles champion in 2010 in Ostrava and the following year in Gdansk. Meanwhile, partnering Aleksandar Karakasevic, Mixed Doubles gold was secured in 2000 in Bremen, 2005 in Aarhus and 2007 in Belgrade as well as in 2009 in Subotica when the event was held as a separate entity.
It a record that will stand of time.
Success for Ruwen Filus and Han Ying; in the final they now meet Austria’s Stefan Fegerl and Sofia Polcanova, the no.4 seeds. In the penultimate round they beat Germany’s Patrick Franziska and Petrissa Solja, the no.7 seeds (11-7, 1-11, 13-11, 11-9).
“We had to risk very much. Our adversaries were just way too good. They put every ball on the table, so we had to play at the edge to succeed.” Sofia polcanova
“I am disappointed but we gave our best. I think we gave them too many easy points.” Petrissa Solja
The final will be played later in the evening, concluding the fourth day of play in Alicante.
