Castagnet says: My heart is broken and I will fight with everything I have
By SEAN REUTHE in Seattle
French star Mathieu Castagnet said he is fighting with his whole being to succeed in the 2015 World Championships after being “heartbroken” by the terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday night.
World No.8 Castagnet overcame Welshman Peter Creed in straight games in the opening round.
Commenting on the atrocities that brought a death toll of more than 130 in Paris, Castagnet was resolute in his determination to represent his country with pride and success.
“Beating me on this one will take some work because I’m going to fight with everything I have,” he said.
“I am beyond sadness, I have a broken heart, all the sadness in the world for what just happened in my country. There are so many people that are in extreme distress at the moment.
“I am here to represent my country the best I can, that’s something I can do.”
The Frenchman was irrepressible in game one, moving his opponent off the T to great effect to open up un unassailable lead.
After going down early on in the second, Creed upped the tempo in a bid to propel himself back into the encounter and it paid initial dividends as he picked up a succession of points.
But the damage was already done as Castagnet pressed on to double his advantage before dropping just a handful of points in the third to wrap up an 11-3, 11-5, 11-3
“We have approximately eight or nine hours of jet lag and in France it is around five in the morning, so I tried to prepare for this match and I tried to manage my body on the court,” said Castagnet.
“Peter is a great player so I’m happy to win. I moved into the top 10 three months ago. I didn’t expect to be in the top 10 but I have to prove myself to stay there. There are a lot of players coming up and they are trying to push me out of the top 10.”
Castagnet, who turned 29 on Saturday, will face home hope Todd Harrity in round two after the qualifier scored a surprise win over Scotland’s Alan Clyne.
Pictures courtesy of PSA