Kristijan Janev rallies into U18 European Championship second round
Janev beat Emil Thorn of Finland 2-1 in sets (46 64 75) and will meet Jakub Kusi of the Czech Republic next.
On 15 September 2026 in Oberpullendorf, Austria, North Macedonia Davis Cup player Kristijan Janev fought back to reach the second round of the European Under-18 Championships.
Janev overcame Emil Thorn of Finland in a three-set match, winning 2-1 in sets (46 64 75) after a sustained battle on court.
In the next round Janev is scheduled to play Jakub Kusi of the Czech Republic.
Other Macedonian players had mixed results: Erion Neziri lost to Lukas Erikson of Finland 2-0 in sets (75 61). On the girls' side, Mila Jovanovski was defeated by Eleonora Toneva of Bulgaria 2-0 (64 63), while Irina Pishtolova fell to Lidia Brinman of Ireland 2-0 (61 64).
Doubles entry
In the doubles events the Macedonian pair Janev–Neziri will face Kaloyan Shikov and Aleksandar Tolev of Bulgaria. The girls' doubles duo Jovanovski–Pishtolova are drawn against Dimitra Kumucea and Katarina Ustabasidu of Greece.
The tournament continues in Oberpullendorf with national juniors aiming to advance through the knockout stages.
Photo: press material from the event
