by Ian Marshall, Editor
Each occupying the top seeded position, the winner at the Pan American Championships in San José, Costa Rica in both 2013 and 2017, Fernando Eberhardt, plying his skills in class 1, was beaten by both Slovakia’s Marian Kamien (11-9, 11-8, 10-12, 11-9) and by Finland’s Timo Natunen (11-9, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3).
Similarly, in class 6, on duty in an initial phase group of three players, Cristian Dettoni, gold medallist in class 7 at the 2011 Pan American Games in the Mexican city of Guadalajara, experienced defeats in both contests. Dettoni was beaten by Sweden’s Michael Azulay (7-11, 11-6, 11-2, 11-5) and Switzerland’s Valentin Kneuss (6-11, 3-11, 12-10, 11-5, 11-9).
Elimination for Eberhardt and Dettoni; for three further top seeds in the men’s events, progress hangs in the balance.
In class 2, Korea Republic’s Kang Changyoung lost to the Czech Republic’s Martin Zvolanek (7-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 13-11) but recovered to beat Spain’s Miguel Angel Toledo (11-9, 10-12, 11-4, 11-4).
Meanwhile, Great Britain’s Jack Hunter-Spivey and Slovakia’s Miroslav Jambor found Russian opposition in form. Hunter-Spivey, on duty in class 5, was beaten by Grigorii Isakov (11-13, 11-6, 11-9, 11-3), Jambor, competing in class 7, experienced defeat at the hands of Alexei Samsonov (7-11, 11-9, 12-10, 7-11, 11-6).
Later, Hunter-Spivey recovered to overcome Argentina’s Elias Romero (11-6, 11-7, 12-10), while Jambor defeated Slovenia’s Luka Trtnik (12-10, 9-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7).
One match remains in the group phase in each class; Martin Zvolanek meets Miguel Angel Toledo, Grigorii Isakov opposes Elias Romero, Alexei Samsonov faces Luka Trtnik. Players finishing in first and second positions in each group, advance to the main draw.
Testing times for five top men’s seeds; for Poland’s Maciej Nalepka the leading name in class 3 and Japan’s Koya Kato in class 11, they ended the day unbeaten with one initial phase match to complete.
Meanwhile, for Spain’s Francisco Lopez (class 4), Thailand’s Phisit Wangphonphatanasiri (class 8) and Ukraine’s Ivan Mai (class 9), alongside Igor Misztal (class 10) they concluded their initial phase matches unbeaten, main draw positions secured.
Play continues on Friday 4th June.
Paralympic World Qualification Tournament Results (3rd June): http://www.ipttc.org/upload/
