by Ian Marshall, Editor
Mao Jingdian, who has won every major title the sport has to offer and was the top seed in Lasko, experienced a semi-final defeat at the hands of Norway’s Aida Dahlen, the no.3 seed (12-10, 3-11, 11-7, 11-9).
Success for Aida Dahlen, gold medallist at the two most recent European Para Championships, it was almost a second success; in the final she experienced defeat in the closest final of the day. Thu Kampkasomphu prevailed by the minimal two point margin in a dramatic decider (12-10, 11-9, 11-13, 4-11, 14-12).
Gold somewhat contrary to expectations for Thu Kampkasomphu, it was the same in class 9 but not in the remaining women’s singles standing categories.
Silver medallist at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Lei Li Na, who alongside Yang Qian and their male compatriot, Ma Lin, has been residing in Australia for the past year, emerged the class 9 winner. Not listed amongst the leading names, she accounted for Poland’s Karoline Pek, the top seed, in the penultimate round (11-8, 11-7, 11-8), prior to securing the title at the final expense of China’s Xiong Guiyan, the no.2 seed (12-10, 11-3, 11-8).
Otherwise, it was success for the top seeds; notably Yang Qian, the silver medallist in Rio de Janeiro adding to Australian success. She secured the class 10 title at the expense of China’s Zhao Xiaojing, emerging successful in four games (9-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-6).
Meanwhile, in class 6, Ukraine’s Maryna Lytovchenko, the reigning world champion, claimed the top prize, accounting for Germany’s Stephanie Grebe (11-7, 11-7, 13-11), whilst in class 7, Turkey’s Kubra Korkut emulated Thu Kampkasomphu. Similarly the silver medallist at the 2018 World Para Championships and the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, she accounted for China’s Wang Rui (11-5, 12-10, 4-11, 11-6) to secure gold.
Titles as anticipated, it was the same in class 11; in and all Russian final, Elena Prokofeeva, the reigning world champion, overcame Anzhelika Kosacheva (11-9, 11-7, 3-11, 11-8) to reserve the top step of the podium.
Attention now turns to two days of team competitions, in Lasko play concludes on Saturday 11th May.
Thermana Lasko Slovenia Para Open 2019: Latest results and main draws
