by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor
Likewise, in the Women’s Singles competition, where there were also eight groups in the opening phase and only the player finishing in first place advancing, it was first position and a quarter-final place for both Oceane Guisnel and Alina Zaharia.
Impressive performances but the player to attract the attention was the host nation’s Ali Kanate. After beating Senegal’s Abdoulaye Drame (11-5, 11-5, 11-5) and Benin’s Mouyassir Gafarou (11-2, 11-4, 11-4), he was stretched the limit by Vietnam’s Bui The Ngia.
He lost the first two games before the home supporters lifted the spirits of Ivory Coast’s leading player to greater heights and an eventual victory by the very narrowest of margins (6-11, 9-11, 11-7, 11-9, 13-11).
Success for Ali Kanate, Alexandru Manole and Joe Sefried; in the remaining five groups, pole positions were reserved by Canada’s Marko Medjugorac, Switzerland’s Gaël Vende, Congo Brazzaville’s Christ Benatiki, as well as by Quebec’s Antoine Bernadet and Wasiim Gukhool of Mauritius.
First places as very much anticipated; however in the Women’s Singles event Lebanon’s Malek Khoury emerged as a somewhat surprise group winner; after overcoming Madagascar’s Andy Olivia Malantoniaina (11-5, 11-6, 11-7), she caused somewhat of an upset by beating Quebec’s Vida Sieu (17-11, 9-11, 11-4, 12-10, 11-8).
Meanwhile, in the remaining Women’s Singles groups, it was first place for Tunisia’s Abir Haj Salah, as it was for Vietnam’s Pham Thi Huong and Benin’s Awawou Aloiu. Likewise, it was top spot for Luxembourg’s Chiara Camerlynck and for Cameroon’s Annissa Solall Mewouo.
The quarter-finals and semi-finals of both the Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles events will be played on Wednesday 26th July; the finals Thursday 27th July, the day play concludes in the table tennis events.
2017 Francophone Games: Results – Mixed Doubles (Monday 24th July)
2017 Francophone Games: Results – Mixed Team (Monday 24th July)
2017 Francophone Games: Results – Men’s Singles Stage One & Stage Two Draw
2017 Francophone Games: Results – Women’s Singles Stage One & Stage Two Draw