European Club Championships: Hans Vittinghus stamps Vladimir Ivanov in Singles tie of final match
Men’s Singles campaigner Hans-Kristian Vittinghus of Team Skælskør-Slagelse saved the club’s honour to some extent by overwhelming Vladimir Ivanov in the final match of European Club Championships on June 2, 2012.
Both contenders consumed their energies for 45 minutes before putting concluding figures of 21-18, 18-21 and 3-11 on the board.
This encounter was first Men’s Singles tie of contest between Primorye badminton club and Team Skælskør-Slagelse.
World Number 16 shuttler Hans Vittinghus came back from a horrendous start and stamped his supremacy in last two games of the match.
On the other hand, lower ranked Vladimir stunned his competitor in opening game but got pale in front of a strong backlash and surrendered.
The Russian exhibited amazing skills in first set and earned great deal of admiration from the audience.
He launched a swift attack and did not allow the opposing shuttler to read his game. He gained an early advantage by clinching some continuous points.
Hans Vittinghus could not stop this flurry of masterly crafted strokes and stayed at lower end until mid-game break.
World Number 44 shuttler Vladimir maintained upper hand after the interval also and managed to pocket first set with a decent margin of 21-18.
However, the Danish campaigner switched on the best after finding himself one down. This time he launched effective counterattack strategy and did not allow his competitor to capitalise first set win.
Hans Vittinghus dominated from very first shot and enjoyed an authoritative position all the way to final moments of the set.
He opened this game with a swift progress on the score-board and reached at 7 points in no time. Though his challenger raised his total and tried to catch him but he managed to end first half with 11 points.
Later part of the game was full of drama as Vladimir brought thrill back into match with some nonstop rallies and got into commanding position.
His supporters were celebrating for expected straight-set victory but their celebration was short lived as Hans Vittinghus reinstated his authority and stole the limelight with 21-18 margin.
This 1-1 match score position put life into contest and both shuttlers entered in court with high spirits to secure the honour.
Vittinghus and Vladimir started this race at great pace and both snapped each other’s heels until 3-3.
However, the Dane accelerated his speed and made difference with eight consecutive points. He was leading in 11-3 total when half-time was announced.
The Russian entered in court after the interval, conceded walk over and Hans Vittinghus wrapped third and final match point without playing even a single shot.
This win took Team Skælskør-Slagelse at same level with Primorye badminton club but Hans’ team mates could not follow the success trail and lost in next encounters.
Tags: