by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

The successes recorded by Fabien Lamirault and Maxime Thomas were as predicted, they were the top seeds.

At the final hurdle Fabien Lamirault overcame Mexico’s Victor Reyes (11-5, 11-5, 9-11, 11-6); in a group organised event Maxime Thomas remained unbeaten to finish ahead of Poland’s Krszysztof Zylka and compatriot Guillaume Pedrona.

Unbeaten but Maxime Thomas came very close to defeat, in the concluding match in the group, Krszysztof Zylka stretched to the champion elect to the limit. After losing the opening two games the Pole recovered to win the next two and force a decider only to experience defeat by the minimal two point margin (11-6, 11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 12-10).

Wins as expected; for François Geuljans, the success was slightly less anticipated. He commenced matters as the no.2 seed. At the final hurdle he beat the host nation’s Benjamin Marotte (11-9, 11-9, 12-10), very much a player in form; in the penultimate round he had accounted for Romania’s Dacian Makszim, the top seed, in a closely fought five games encounter determined by the minimum two point margin (1-11, 11-6, 10-12, 11-7, 11-9).

Success against expectations, it was the same in Class 1 where in a group organised competition Korea’s Kim Hyeonuk concluded matters ahead of Great Britain’s Paul Davies, the top seed. Third place finished in the hands of Switzerland’s Sylvio Keller. The crucial contest had been on the opening day of play when Kim Hyeonuk had accounted for Paul Davies in a full distance five games contest (11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-6).

“I really enjoyed this tournament. I played some good table tennis and it is nice to finish the year in the top seven of the World rankings. I’ll reflect on my results from this season and I’m looking forward to the World Championships next year.” Paul Davies

Two unexpected champions, not in Class 5; in a final that witnessed the top two seeds in action, Germany’s Valentin Baus beat Belgium’s Bert Brands to justified his status as the leading name. He emerged successful in four games (11-7, 11-7, 8-11, 11-4).

2017 Belgian Para Open: Daily Report (Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th October)

2017 Belgian Para Open: Latest Results and Forthcoming Matches and Fixtures

2017 Belgian Para Open: Live Stream – Table No.6

2017 Belgian Para Open: Live Stream – Table No.7

2017 Belgian Para Open: Live Stream – Table to be advised