Less than a year ago Anastasia Pustinskaya was celebrating silver medal on the women’s singles podium at the European U17 championships in Prague. On that occasion Sophia Grundtvig of Denmark beat the Russian into second place.
Today in Tallinn the Russian overturned that defeat to the Dane in the third round of the women’s singles to signal her credentials as a genuine medal contender this week at the European juniors.
It was not only the victory that was sweet revenge for the Russian but the manner of the victory where she completely dominated the Dane from start to finish to win 21-12 21-8
- I came into this match very determined with great focus. I remembered last year and I did not want to lose again. I am happy to win of course and it gives me good confidence for the rest of the tournament knowing my game and mental capacity is in good shape.
As women’s singles 4th seed Pustinskaya was winning on one court the men’s singles 4th seed was exiting the tournament on an adjoining court. Christopher Grimley of Scotland went down in three sets to tournament substitute Johan Azelius of Sweden.