by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Two years ago in Vejle in the final, Juliane Wolf had been beaten by Norway’s Aida Dahlen; in Otocec after on the first day having accounted for Russia’s Elena Litvinenko (11-5, 11-4, 6-11, 11-6), once again, she suffered at the hands of the Norwegian (12-10, 11-9, 5-11, 13-11).

Aida Dahlen, having earlier beaten Suzan Klomp of the Netherlands (12-10, 11-3, 11-6) remains the one unbeaten member of the group. In the concluding group phase matches, Juliane Wolf meets Suzan Klomp, Aida Dahlen opposes Romania’s Marioara Stanescu.

Similarly, Thu Kamkasomphu, earlier successful against Russia’s Elena Litvinenko (11-5, 11-4, 6-11, 11-6), experienced defeat at the hands of Hungary’s Zsofia Arloy (11-4, 12-10, 11-8); one match remains in the group, Zsofia Arloy opposes Elena Litvinenko.

Surprises and in the Women’s Singles standing events, there were also upsets in Class 6 and Class 7. Germany’s Stephanie Grebe duly finished in first place in her group ahead of Russia’s Antonina Khodznskaya, the no.3 seed; in the crucial contest, Stephanie Grebe overcame the Russian in four games (11-9, 3-11, 11-9, 11-6).

Second place for Antonina Khodznskaya; there were no such problems for the top two names in Class 6; Ukraine’s Maryna Lytovchenko and Russia’s Raisa Chebanika duly reserved first places in their groups.

Likewise, in Class 7 where first stage contests have yet to conclude, there was an upset. No problems for Kelly Van Zon of the Netherlands, the top seed, she duly secured first place in her group but for Turkey’s Kubra Korkut, the second seed, there was defeat. She was beaten by Russia’s Ulija Shishkina (7-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-9).

Upsets, in Class 11 it was the same scenario, Poland’s Krystyna Lysiak the no.3 seed, was beaten by Russia’s Anzhelika Kosacheva, (11-3, 8-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9) and duly finished in second place in the group. Anzhelika Kosacheva remained unbeaten to top the group. Notably, Elena Prokofeeva, also from Russia and Ukraine’s Natalya Kosmina, the top two seeds, remained unbeaten to secure first places.

Meanwhile, in Class 10, the semi-finalists have been decided; Poland’s Natalia Partyka, the top seed, meets Turkey’s Merve Demir, in the opposite half of the draw, Denmark’s Sophie Walloe, the no.2 seed, opposes Ümran Ertis, like Merve Demir from Turkey.

The individual events conclude on Saturday 30th September.

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