Through to European Third Round

Today has been a very good day for me as I have secured my position in the third round of the European Championships with a two set win over Sven Eric Kastens of Germany 21-19 21-19.
The first set was a very close game as Kastens took an early lead 9-6. I levelled it up at 9-9 and we continued to swap points and were level at 12-12,17-17 and 18-18. I dug deep into my mental reserves and managed to string a few points together to eventually take the opening set 21-19.
The second set was so different as at 4-4 I took control of the game and pulled away to lead 14-8. I was playing well and controlling the rallies. I felt good and really confident. But something happened mentally and I let him back into the game. Point by point he clawed his way back and at 19-14 up he won 5 straight points to level the game at 19-19.
But I was not going to let this one get away from me. I’m mentally stronger now and I just called on all my reserves again and won the next two points to take the set 21-19 and the match.
I’m so happy right now as this is my first run in a tournament in a while and all the work I have been putting in is starting to pay off. Next for me is the top Russian Stanislav Pukhov who beat English favourite Andrew Smith 21-12 21-17. Pukhov is ranked 69 in the world so I’m just going to go out there and give it my all once again and do my best to beat him.