24 Jul 2017

Surprise winner five days earlier at the 4th Taichung Open for the Disabled, at the 2017 Korea Para Open in Mungyeong, on Saturday 22nd July, Nathan Pellissier once again upset the odds.

Just as in Chinese Taipei not seeded, competing in the very same event, he won the Men’s Singles Class 8 title.

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

It was for Zu Mingyu a sense of revenge; the previous week in Chinese Taipei at the 4th Taichung Open for the Disabled, in a Class 7-8 group organised event, she had been beaten by Germany’s Juliane Wolf, the top seed and champion elect (8-11, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 11-8).

In Mungyeong at the semi-final stage in Class 6-8, Zu Mingyu accounted for Juliane Wolf, as the previous week the top seed (11-7, 11-3, 11-6), to reserve her place in the final.

An impressive display in the penultimate round, it was the same in the title deciding contest, she overcame Japan’s Megumi Hirokane (11-3, 11-7, 11-7), a player very much in form. One day earlier, she had beaten Juliane Wolf in the group phase of proceedings (3-11, 15-13, 6-11, 14-12, 11-8) to secure first place.

Success for Zu Mingyu against the top seed, it was the same in Class 11 for Anzhelika Kosacheva, the only difference being that the success was recorded in the final. She beat colleague Elena Prokofeva in three straight games (11-8, 11-9, 11-9).

Reversing the decision of the previous week for Zu Mingyu; in Class 3, it was a case of reversing the decision of the previous day. In the initial stage of proceedings, the host nation’s Yoon Jiyu, the top seed, had been beaten by Thailand’s Pattaravadee Wararitdamrongkul (8-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 11-8); second place in the group had been her lot.

On the second day of action they met again, this time in the final; Yoon Jiyu turned the tables, she beat Pattaravadee Wararitdamrongkul in straight games (13-11, 11-6, 11-8).

Success for the host nation and there was further success as top seeded Koreans struck gold. Seo Suyeon won Class 1-2; Kang Oejeong, who in Chinese Taipei had secured gold in Class 3-5, emerged the winner in Class 4-5. Likewise, Kim Junhea claimed the Class 9 title.

Gold for Korea, Russia and the United States; there was also gold for the young lady wearing the green and gold. The top seed, Australia’s Melissa Tapper won the Class 10 title.

2017 Korea Para Open: Latest Results and Draws

Paralympics Para Table Tennis 2017 Korea Para Open