by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

In Thailand at the semi-final stage she had beaten China’s Chen Xin in three straight games (11-3, 14-12, 11-4), before accounting for Japan’s Kimmie Bessho to arrest the title (8-11, 11-4, 11-5, 11-8).

On the Costa Blanca, once again she beat Chen Xin, only this time it was a much more testing contest, she needed the full five games to secure victory (11-8, 11-7, 6-11, 4-11, 11-6). A bronze medal for Chen Xin in Thailand; it was the same in Spain. She experienced a straight games defeat at the hands of Israel’s Caroline Tabib (11-5, 11-5, 12-10).

Later, in the concluding contest, Khetam Abuawad beat Caroline Tabib in four games (6-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7) to maintain her unbeaten record and thus seal the title.

Success for Khetam Abuawad as predicted, in the Women’s Singles events, with the exception of Class 10, the top seeds all ended the day unbeaten. The one casualty was Turkey’s Merve Demir. She was beaten by China’s Hou Chunxiao in five games (9-11, 11-4, 11-8, 7-11, 11-6); however, it was her only defeat and thus second place was secured. Hou Chunxiao remained unbeaten to top the group.

Players finishing in first and second places in the group phase, advance to the main draw.

Otherwise, for the leading names it was a day without blemish. Sweden’s Anna-Carin Ahlquist remained unbeaten in Class 3, as did China’s Zhou Ying in Class 4 and colleague Xiong Guiyan in Class 8-9. Likewise in Class 6-7, Turkey’s Kubra Korkut ended the day with defeat.

Play in the Women’s Singles events concludes on Friday 9th November.

Spanish Para Open: Results and forthcoming matches