by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

However, there were surprises as the Women’s Singles events commenced.

In Class 6, a group organised event, Romania’s Gabriela Costantini, the top seed, was beaten by Norway’s Merethe Tveiten (11-9, 11-9, 11-7), who earlier in the day had lost to Sweden’s Emile Endre (11-8, 11-9, 11-9), the outcome is that group is wide open.

Likewise in the group phase in Class 9-10, Romania found problems; Iona-Monica Tepelea, the top seed, was beaten by Sweden’s Anja Handen (11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5). It was to prove the only defeat for Iona-Monica Tepelea who finished the group in second place and duly advanced to the main draw. Anja Handen remained unbeaten to top the group.

Meanwhile, in the Men’s Singles events, in the early stages there was just one major casualty of note. In Class 3, the host nation’s Roberto Rodriguez, the top seed, was beaten by Romania’s Ioan Dirlea (11-6, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6), Similar to Iona-Monica Tepelea, it was his only defeat; thus second place and progress to the main draw. Ioan Dirlea remained unbeaten to top the group.

Otherwise in the Men’s Singles event it was a day without defeat for the leading names.

Competing in the wheelchair classes, Spain’s Iker Sastre, Slovakia’s Boris Travnicek and Claudiomiro Segatta all ended the day unbeaten and very much in line for honours.

Similarly in the standing categories it was a successful day for the top seeds. Thailand’s Rungroj Thainiyom and Sweden’s Emil Andersson remained unbeaten as did Russia’s Iurii Nozdrunov. Likewise the Netherlands duo of Jean Paul Montanus and Bas Hegerlink ended the day without blemish.

Likewise in Class 11, a day with trouble for Frenchman Antoine Zhao.

2018 Spanish Para Open: Latest Results and Draws