by Ian Marshall, Editor
Competing in Class 9, he accounted for both Japan’s Nobuyuki Suzuki (11-4, 11-6, 11-5) and Hong Kong’s Wong Chi Yin (11-5, 11-6, 11-8), a performance that to some extent was matched by Russia’s Iuri Nozdrunov, the no.2 seed. He beat Tonnie Heijen of the Netherlands (11-3, 11-3, 12-10) and Ukraine’s Lev Kats (11-0, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7).
Similarly, top seeds Alvaro Valera, Ukraine’s Viktor Didukh and Poland’s Patryk Chojnowski all emulated the efforts of Laurens Devos.
On duty in Class 6, defending champion, Alvaro Valera overcame Ian Seidenfeld of the United States (8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-2) and China’s Chen Chao (11-6, 11-9, 12-14, 11-6). In a similar vein, Peter Rosenmeier, gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, secured first place in his group. The no.2 seed, he beat Israel’s Danny Bobrov (11-4, 6-11, 11-8, 11-4), followed by success in opposition to Spain’s Alberto Seoane Alcazar (7-11, 11-5, 12-10, 11-9).
“I have been here many years in a row, so it is like a second home for me but now it is a different venue that we are not very used to, so it is a bit different but I like this venue more. I think that the size of the venue is bigger, it suits my play better. Yeah, it’s always difficult in the first match, a match you want to survive and you want to survive with a bit of good play. I felt good in the second part of the game today; that is good and something that I can build on.” Peter Rosenmeier
Impressive performances, it was the same from Viktor Didukh in Class 8; he accounted for both Slovakia’s Richard Csejtey (11-5, 6-11, 11-5, 11-3) and Great Britain’s Aaron McKibbin (12-10, 11-6, 11-7). Likewise, not to be upstaged, China’s Zhao Shuai, the no.2 seed, topped his group but he came very close to defeat. After overcoming Thailand’s Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri in four games (9-11, 11-5, 11-7, 11-4), he needed the full five to beat Frenchman Thomas Bouvais, only emerging successful by the the minimal two point margin in the decider (11-8, 7-11, 11-5, 9-11, 12-10).
A close call for Zhao Shuai, in Class 10 for the respective leading names, Poland’s Patryk Chojnowski and Indonesia’s David Jacobs, there were no alarms. Patryk Chojnowski beat China’s Mao Shubo (11-5, 11-2, 11-6) and Spain’s Jorge Cardona (11-2, 11-2, 11-2): David Jacobs accounted for Poland’s Igor Misztal (11-9,, 11-6, 12-10), followed by success in opposition to Bas Hegerlink of the Netherlands (11-8, 14-12, 11-5).
Meanwhile, in Class 7 and in Class 11, the latter the category for players with an intellectual disability; the leading names were required to play just one match.
In Class 7, China’s Yan Shuo, the top seed, beat Thailand’s Chalermpong Punpoo (6-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-6); Great Britain’s Will Bayley, the no.2 seed and defending champion, accounted for the Czech Republic’s Daniel Horhut (8-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-9). In Class 11, Belgium’s Florian Van Acker overcame Hong Kong’s Wan Wai Lok (8-11, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4), Hungary’s Peter Palos defeated Frenchman Antoine Zhao (11-9, 11-2, 11-7).
Play in the initial phase of the Men’s Singles events concludes on Thursday 18th October.
2018 World Para Championships: Results and Draws
