PARIS — Ivan Ukhov held off Jaroslav Baba to win the high jump and Anna Avdeyeva narrowly beat Christina Schwanitz in the shot put as Russia increased its medal tally at the European indoor championships on Saturday.
Ukhov cleared 2.38 meters — the best jump this year — after being locked on 2.34 with Baba of the Czech Republic and Aleksandr Shustov of Russia, who took bronze.
Russia won silver in the women's 400 meters, Olesya Krasnomovets narrowly losing to Denisa Rosolova of the Czech Republic despite leading into the final stretch. Rosolova timed 51.73. Kseniya Zadorina of Russia took the bronze.
French sprinter Christophe Lemaitre cruised into the men's 60-meter final with a new personal best of 6.55 seconds. Britain's Dwain Chambers won his heat in 6.61 to set up an eagerly-awaited final.
Lemaitre won gold medals in the 100 and 200 at the European Championships last year in Barcelona. He is excited about facing Chambers, the reigning world and defending European champion at 60 meters.
"The final should be wide open, with Chambers and (Martial) Mbandjock," Lemaitre said. "It's certainly going to be very fast. But I'm ready to go faster."
Ukhov declined the chance to try for 2.40 and instead went for a new European record but failed with three attempts at 2.44.
"I know I'm in world record shape this season and I wanted to break it," Ukhov said. "However, there were way too many attempts in the competition and I did not spare enough energy."
Avdeyeva set her winning mark of 18.70 meters with her second throw. Germany's Schwanitz threw 18.65 with her third to ensure a tight finish but failed to get past 18.50 on her next three attempts.
"I really wanted a medal and, of course, I dreamed about gold," Avdeyeva said. "The competition started with a fault for me, and in the second (attempt) I managed 18.70. I was so happy that I almost could not concentrate for the other attempts."
Mo Farah successfully defended his 3,000 title after withstanding a late burst from Hayle Ibrahimov of Azerbaijan. The Briton clocked 7 minutes, 53 seconds, with Ibrahimov finishing in 7:53.32 and Turkey's Halil Akkas crossing in 7:54.19.
Josephine Terlecki gave Germany another medal by taking the bronze with a personal best of 18.09.
Also Saturday, Simona La Mantia of Italy won the women's triple jump.