by Ian Marshall, Editor

Commencing play as the lowest rated in their initial stage group, they finished in second place behind the outfit formed by Russia’s Vladimir Anikanov and Ukraine’s Bogdan Omelchuk.

A place in the main draw booked, Maksym Chudzicki and Wojcieh Wlazlo excelled expectations, recording a two-nil win against the Nordic combination of Sweden’s Jonas Hansson and Denmark’s Rasmus Hansen, before once again facing Vladimir Anikanov and Bogdan Omelchuk. A two-one defeat had been the outcome in the group phase one day earlier. In the final the tables were turned; a two-one win was recorded.

In the counterpart semi-final Vladimir Anikanov and Bogdan Omelchukn had ousted the partnership formed by Belgium’s Ben Despineux and Dustin Eier of the Netherlands; a two matches to nil win being the order of proceedings.

Success against the odds for Maksym Chudzicki and Wojcieh Wlazlo, it was the same in Class 9 but the surprise to a lesser extent. Organised on a group basis, the second seeds Ukraine’s Lev Kats and Bart Van Der Zanden of the Netherlands, finished ahead of Hungary’s Dezso Bereczki and Gyula Zborai, the top seeds. Indonesia’s Banyu Tri Mulyo and Kusnato secured third position

Top spot for the second seeds, it was the same in Class 10 and in Class 11.

In Class 10, after accounting for Mateo Boheas and Benoît Grasset of France, the no.3 seeds, at the semi-final stage, Indonesia’s David Jacobs and Komet Akbar accounted for the host nation’s José Ruiz and Jorge Cardona, the top seed. In both contests a two-nil margin of victory was the outcome, as it was in the adjacent semi-final engagement that witnessed success for José Ruiz and Jorge Cardona in opposition to the outfit formed by Denmark’s Martin Lund Nielsen and Italy’s Lorenzo Cordua.

First place for the second seeds, it was exactly the same in Class 11; administered on a group basis, Japan’s Riyo Miyauchi and Toshiya Takahashi concluded matters ahead of the top seeded partnership of Hungary’s Peter Palos and Turkey’s Garip Olcas. Poland’s Marek Chubinski and Damian Fira reserved third position.

Meanwhile in Men’s Team standing events that witnessed play proceeding according to status; in Class 6 Matias Pino Lorca and Esteban Herrault secured the title at the final expense of Poland’s Slawomir Brak and Mars Gabdullin, recording a two-nil win. Earlier in a hard fought contest, they had overcome the combination of Great Britain’s Martin Perry and Israel’s Asaf Gofer by two matches to one. The one winner for the defeated was Martin Perry who beat Matias Pino Lorca (12-10, 5-11, 7-11, 12-10, 11-8), a win with which he was delighted.

“I backed myself against Pino Lorca and prepared very well for the match. It was a close match from the start and I’m really happy with the energy and ability I showed. He’s been to the Paralympics and the World Championships so it was great to get the win over such an experienced player. Another win against a top 12 player is a fantastic way to end the season and I’m really pleased with the bronze medal in the team event.” Martin Perry

In the counterpart semi-final, Slawomir Brak and Mars Gabdullin had secured a two-nil win when facing the Spanish trio formed by Albert Seoane, Amalio Castillo and Francisco Rodriguez.

Impressive from Matias Pino Lorca and Esteban Herrault, it was the same from Ukraine; selecting Viktor Didukh and Ivan Mai for the later rounds, a two-nil penultimate round win was recorded against the third seeded formation of Belgium’s Marc Ledoux and Great Britain’s Billy Shilton, before the same margin, victory was posted in the final when opposing second seeded Frenchmen Thomas Bouvais and Elias Debeyssac.

“I think overall the tournament went well and of course it is great to take a medal. I feel that our doubles was also good considering we have never played together before. In the semi-final against Ukraine we always knew it would be difficult as they are one of the best teams in the world. Against the best teams and players you must take the chances you create; unfortunately we didn’t today but on the whole it was a very positive team event.” Billy Shilton

In the counterpart semi-final Thomas Bouvais and Elias Debeyssac had overcome Russia’s Artem Iakovlev and Aleksei Saunin, the fourth seeds; a two-one win being the outcome.

Events in Almeria concluded; attention now turns to Buenos Aires in Argentina; the Copa Tango commences on Friday 30th November.

2018 Spanish Para Open: Latest Results and Main Event Draws