by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
The highest rated player on duty, in the only event to be decided on the first day of play; she remained unbeaten to clinch the top prize.
Impressively, she finished ahead of Russia’s Nadejda Pushpasheva, China’s Yang Zhonghui and Great Britain’s Lucie Bouron.
Success meant that Michela Brunelli collected the second such title of her career; two years ago she won Women’s Singles Class 3 at the 2015 Czech Para Open.
Status asserted; in the remaining Women’s Singles events, where proceedings are organised in two stages, with the first phase completed, it was top spot in the group for the leading names.
In Class 4, Serbia’s Borislava Peric-Rankovic and Nada Matic remained unbeaten, as in Class 6-7 did the host nation’s Gabriela Constantin alongside Bulgaria’s Valentina Marcheva.
Likewise, in Class 8-10, Norway’s Aida Dahlen duly secured pole position, a success also achieved by Iona-Monica Tepelea, like Gabriela Constantin from Romania.
“I felt that the match was easy and everything worked for me. I have played my opponent before at a competition in Italy and I see she has improved her game”, Gabriel Constantin after beating Varie Ann Rolph of the United States (11-5, 11-7, 11-1).
Play in the Women’s Singles events concludes on Friday 24th March.
Romania International Para Open: Draws and Latest Results