by Ian Marshall, Editor
Competing in Class 4, after recording a straight games success in opposition to India’s Bhavina Hasmukh Bhai (11-5, 11-4, 11-2), Zhou Ying needed the full five games to overcome Russia’s Aleksandra Vasileva (7-11, 11-2, 11-1, 9-11, 11-3). Testing times but the initial phase concluded, a main draw place was reserved.
Similarly, in Class 5, in her one and only match of the day, Kang Oejeong was examined; she withstood a brave fightback by Egypt’s Faiza Mahmoud (11-5, 11-7, 6-11, 7-11, 11-6).
Otherwise for the leading names it was a positive start to their campaigns. In Class 1-2, Korea Republic’s Seo Suyeon started her quest in a confidence building manner by overcoming Florence Gossiaux-Sureau of France (11-3, 11-8, 11-4) in her one and only match of the day.
Meanwhile, in Class 3, as with Zhou Ying, Sweden’s Anna-Carin Ahlqhuist reserved her main draw place. She completed her opening stage encounters with an unblemished record. She beat both Croatia’s Helena Dretar (11-2, 11-9, 11-7) and Italy’s Michela Brunelli (10-12, 11-7, 11-5, 13-11).
“It’s wonderful, I love it. We have been playing here for several years and it is good. It is a new venue but it is very good and very nice. I am always nervous before the first match and before the game starts. Today was a bit shaky but I really enjoyed it; it was really good.” Anna-Carin Ahlqhuist
Noteworthy performances; it was the same from the defending champions, China’s Li Qian and Zhang Miao. Both completed their initial phase matches unbeaten and thus in first positions in their respective groups.
In Class 3, Li Qian beat Japan’s Yukimi Chada (11-7, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5), followed by success against Turkey’s Nergiz Altintas (11-4, 11-5, 11-6); somewhat similarly, in Class 4, Zhang Miao accounted for Serbia’s Zorica Popadic (11-4, 11-4, 11-9), prior to defeating Thailand’s Wijittra Jaion in a full distance five games contest (11-9, 8-11-6-11, 11-8, 11-8).
Play in the group stage concludes on Thursday 18th October.
2018 World Para Championships: Results and Draws
