08 May 2017

Determined performances, Poland’s Dorota Buclaw alongside the Russian duo of Olga Komleva-Gorshkaleva and Elena Profofeva emerged as surprise champions when play concluded in the Women’s Singles events on Sunday 7th May at the 2017 Thermana Lasko 14th Slovenia Para Open.

All excelled expectations but pride of place must go to Jordan’s Khetam Abuawad, likewise she upset the odds.

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

The 42 year old from Amman beat Serbia’s Borislava Peric-Rankovic, the top seed and gold medallist at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, to win Class 4-5; the no.2 seed at the final hurdle, she emerged successful in four games (11-8, 7-11, 13-11, 11-9).

An outstanding efforts from the Jordanian, from Dorota Buclaw, Olga Komleva-Gorshkaleva and Elena Profofeva it was just the same.

Similar to Khetam Abuawad, occupying the no.2 seeded spot, Dorota Buclaw secured the Class 1-2 title at the final expense of Isabelle Lafaye of France in a contest decided by the very narrowest of margins in the deciding game (11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 7-11, 12-10). Furthermore, Isabelle Lafaye was a player in form; at the semi-final stage she had ousted Russia’s Nadejda Pushpasheva, the top seed (11-5, 6-11, 11-5, 14-12).

Good form from Dorota Buclaw; likewise Olga Komleva-Gorshkaleva rose to the occasion; not listed amongst the leading names, she beat Turkey’s Neslihan Kavas, the top seed (11-9, 11-8, 14-12) to emerge as the Class 9 winner.

Meanwhile, not to be upstaged Elena Prokofeva, the no.2 seed, upset the order of merit to win Class 11. In the final she overcame Japan’s Sayuri Mio (11-6, 11-7, 11-4), a player who had excelled all expectations to reach the final. At the quarter-final stage she had beaten Russia’s Natalya Kosmina, the top seed (10-12, 11-4, 14-12, 11-7), before reserving her place in the final courtesy of success against Anzhelika Kosacheva (8-11, 11-7, 11-6, 11-6).

Surprises, not in the remaining events where the top seeds prevailed; Croatia’s Andela Muzinic won Class 3, Croatia’s Sandra Paovic secured the Class 6 title, whilst Kelly van Zon of the Netherlands emerged victorious in Class 7.

Likewise in Class 8 it was success for Thu Kamkasomphu, as it was in Class 10 for Brazil’s Bruna Alexandre.

Play in the individual events concluded, attention now turns to the team competitions; play concludes on Tuesday 9th May.

 Basic Umpires Course in the Dominican Republic

Photos: Urban Urbanc/Sportida

2017 Thermana Lasko 14th Slovenia Para Open: Latest Results (Sunday 7th May)

Paralympics Para Table Tennis 2017 Thermana Lasko 14th Slovenia Para Open