by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

However, on her second visit to the table, she recovered to overcome Japan’s Megumi Hirokane (11-5, 11-7, 11-7) and thus medal hopes remain very much alive; Zu Mingyu remains the only unbeaten member of the group. Later in the day she overcame Russia’s Elena Litvinenko (11-9, 11-3, 11-1).

Meanwhile, in Class 1-2, Russia’s Nadejda Pushpasheva, the top seed, ended the day unbeaten but there was a surprise in store for Isabelle Lafaye of France, the no.3 seed, she was beaten by Brazil’s Catia Oliveira (11-9, 11-7, 9-11, 11-7).

Similarly, in Class 3 where Croatia’s Andela Muzinic is the leading name on duty, there was defeat for the no.2 seed, Korea’s Yoon Jiyu was beaten by Croatia’s Helena Dretar (11-8, 11-7, 11-7). However, that was to prove to Croatian’s only win; Yoon Jiyu finished with two wins, the same as Japan’s Yukimi Chada but as she beat Yukimi Chada (13-11, 11-4, 13-11, top spot in the group was her lot.

Defeat for the second seed; similarly in Class 6, Russia’s Raisa Chebanika experienced defeat at the hands Ukraine’s Antonina Khodzynskaya (11-7, 11-8, 5-11, 11-7), one match is still to be played to complete the initial phase. Antonina Khodzynskaya remains the one unbeaten player in the group. Top seed, Maryna Lytovchenko, also from Ukraine, concluded her group stage matches unbeaten.

Problems for two players occupying the second seeded position; there were problems for one more. In Class 10, Brazil’s Bruna Alexandre was beaten by Turkey’s Merve Demir (6-11, 14-12, 13-11, 7-11, 11-9) and had to settle for second place in the group. Merve Demir remained unbeaten as did top seed, Poland’s Natalia Partyka.

Meanwhile, in the remaining Women’s Singles events, there were no hiccups for the seeded players. The highest rated enjoyed successful days; in Class 4 the host nation’s Sandra Mikolaschek secured first place in her initial stage group, as in Class 7 did Kelly Van Zon and in Class 9, Poland’s Karolina Pek.

Similarly in Class 10, Ukraine’s Natalya Kosmina remained unbeaten, a situation that applies to Korea’s Jung Younga in a Class 5 group organised event, where for each of the four players one match remains.

In events were there are two stages, two players from each group advance to the main draw; playing in the individual events concludes on Thursday 15th June.

2017 Bayreuth Para Open: Draw and Latest Results