by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
After beating Jennifer Johnson of the United States (11-5, 11-5, 11-5) and Chinese Taipei’s Chen Su-Fen (11-8, 11-3, 11-6), the 20 year old from Tel Aviv had to recover from a two games to nil deficit to overcome Chinese Taipei’s Hsiao Shu-Chin. Eventually, she emerged successful by the very narrowest of margins in the deciding fifth game (8-11, 14-16, 11-7, 11-9, 13-11).
Hsiao Shu-Chin finished in second place ahead of Chen Su-Fen and Jennifer Johnson.
The outcome was very much as expected; Caroline Tabib is listed at no.6 on the Women’s Class 5 World Rankings, Hsiao Shu-Chin at no.11; Chen Su-Fen and Jennifer Johnson have no current global status.
According to status, in the remaining Women’s Singles events, it was very much the same scenario with the top seeds enjoying a day without defeat.
In group organised events with one match still to play, Doris Mader remained unbeaten in Class 2-3 as did Norway’s Aida Dahlen in Class 8-10.
Likewise, in Class 6-7 where play is in two stages, Kelly van Zon of the Netherlands duly topped her group and reserved a semi-final place but there was an upset.
Germany’s Stephanie Grebe had to settle for runners up spot in her group; she was beaten by China’s Zu Mingyu (11-6, 11-7, 6-11, 7-11, 11-3). Zu Mingyu remained unbeaten to top the group and thus booked a semi-final place.
“It is nice to be in Vegas and tournament is going good so far. I was in the US before, but it is always exciting to come back. Flooring, tables and everything has been good and tournament has a good turn-out. Of course, I would love to come back. It is not be easy for me since I am class 6 in a combined class but I will go in court and fight hard”, Stephanie Grebe
Meanwhile, Stephanie Grebe also secured her place in the last four; required to compete in the quarter-finals, she beat Chinese Taipei’s Chen Su-Chen (11-5, 11-5, 13-11).
Play in the individual events concludes on Thursday 15th December.
2016 United States Para Open: Draw and Latest Results