by Ian Marshall

Once again competing in men’s singles class 6; facing Ian Seidenfeld of the United States, he needed the full five games to secure victory (11-7, 9-11, 11-7, 9-11, 11-8).

The 20 year old, with father, Mitchell, a player in his day of note, sitting courtside to offer advice, proved more than a handful.

“It was extremely difficult, probably more difficult than I anticipated. I know Ian is a very good player, but he has been out through injury, the last time I saw him was at the World Championships in 2019.” Peter Rosenmeier

Furthermore, at one stage of proceedings, the odds favoured the young man from the United States.

“He nearly had me! I was down 4-6 in the fifth game; this is my fifth Paralympic Games, it is his first, so I think that made a difference.” Peter Rosemeier

A close call for Peter Rosemeier who occupies the no.2 spot on the men’s class 6 world rankings, there was also a severe test for the player at the top of the order.

Spain’s Alvaro Valera, gold medallist at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games now over two decades ago, needed the full five games in his opening contest to overcome Kanellis Chatzikriakos of Greece.

At the end of the third game, defeat looked the greater possibility. Eventually, he kept mind body and soul together, won the first four points of the decider and never looked back (11-4, 9-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-7).

Narrow margins and one wonders does that suggest one unequivocal conclusion? Overall, standards are rising and are rising at a rapid rate.