by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Notably the Women’s Singles top seeds in each category ended the day unbeaten.

Femke Cobben of the Netherlands emerged successful in Class 1-3, as in Class 4-5 did Germany’s Sandra Mikolaschek; likewise it was a fruitful day for Germany’s Stephanie Grebe in Class 6-7, a situation which also applied to Norway’s Aida Dahlen in Class 8-10.

Somewhat conversely in the Men’s Singles events, there were defeats for Great Britain’s Paul Davies, the top seed in Class 1 and for Frenchman, Mateo Boheas, the leading name in Class 10. Paul Davies was beaten by Korea’s Kim Hyeonuk (11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 5-11, 11-5) in a group organised event; Mateo Boheas experienced defeat at the hands of Emanuel Martins of the Netherlands (11-7, 3-11, 11-8, 11-9).

Kim Hyeonuk ended the day unbeaten, as did Emanuel Martins but there was more pain for Mateo Boheas and again at the hands of an adversary from the Netherlands; at the quarter-final stage he was beaten by Bas Hegerlink (11-6, 11-7, 13-11). Earlier in the group stage, Bas Hegerlink, the no.3 seed, had experienced defeat at the hands of Poland’s Igor Misztal (11-8, 11-5, 11-4).

Notable performances and in the Men’s Singles events there were more efforts that caught the eye. In Class 2, Mexico’s Victor Reyes beat Frenchman Benoit Besset, the no.2 seed (11-4, 9-11, 11-9); in Class 6 Germany’s Tim Laue overcame Switzerland’s Valentin Kneuss, the no.4 seed (11-6, 11-5, 11-7). Similarly, in Class 7, Japan’s Kosuke Hemmi accounted for Jacobus Meiland of the Netherlands (11-4, 12-14, 11-6, 1 1-6).

Meanwhile, in Class 9, Great Britain’s Joshua Stacey excelled; he showed a distinct liking for Polish opponents. He topped his group notably overcoming Pawel Konstantyn, the no.4 seed (11-5, 12-10, 11-7) prior to recording a quarter-final success over Pawel Jablonski (11-3, 12-10, 11-5).

Otherwise, especially for the top seeds, it was a day of success. Frenchman Fabien Lamirault (Class 2) and Maxime Thomas (Class 4) remained unbeaten as did Romania’s Dacian Makszin (Class 3) and Bobi Simon (Class 6). Also, it was a trouble free day for Germany’s Valentin Baus (Class 5); a situation which also applied to Slovakia’s Miroslav Jambor (Class 7).

Not to be outdone, there was cause for the host nation to smile; Marc Ledoux (Class 8), Robin Devos (Class 9) and Florian Van Acker (Class 11) all justified their exalted top seeded status.

Play in the individual events concludes on Sunday 29th October.

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

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