by Ian Marshall, Editor
Yoon Jiyu won Class 2-3 accounting for Slovakia’s Alena Kanova in the final (12-10, 11-4, 11-9), Jung Younga secured Class 5 gold overcoming Chile’s Tamara Isabel Leonelli (9-11, 11-2, 11-5, 11-1) in the title deciding contest. Both were wins as expected, both started proceedings at the top seeded players.
“It is true that I am more experienced and even though my opponent did her best I managed to outplay her.” Jung Younga
However, the win recorded by Megan Shackleton was not necessarily to be anticipated; she commenced matters as the no.2 seed. Safely through to the final, she accounted for Russia’s Aleksandra Vasileva, the top seed, in the title deciding contest. In a hard fought contest, she emerged successful in five games (11-6, 7-11, 8-11, 17-15, 11-7) to win what is her biggest career title to date.
“I’m so proud of myself for fighting back from being two-one down to win three-two after a tough battle to clinch the fourth game. It’s always a challenge against Vasileva as we both have similar styles. I’m really glad I pulled through in the end as I wanted to win the gold in memory of my friend who recently passed away.” Megan Shackleton
Success contrary to expectations for Megan Shackleton; in the standing categories it was the same in Class 8 for Dajana Jastrzebska and in Class 10 for Thea Nielsen. In group organised events, the crucial contest for Dajana Jastrzebska was the win recorded against Norway’s Aida Dahlen, the top seed (11-9, 9-11, 11-9, 11-6); likewise for Thea Nielsen it was the victory secured against Romania’s Ioana Monica Tepelea (11-6, 11-8, 12-10). Notably both Aida Dahlen and Ioana Monica Tepelea finished in second places.
Meanwhile, in the remaining Women’s Singles events, the top seeds prevailed. Poland’s Katarzyna Marszal emerged successful in Class 6, Poland’s Karolina Pek in Class 9 and Russia Elena Prokofeeva in Class 11.
Attention now turns to the Women’s Team events, play concludes on Saturday 22nd September.
2018 Czech Para Open: Draws and Results