by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Facing colleague, Igor Misztal at the semi-final stage of proceedings, he had to withdraw owing to a groin injury.

Drama in Alicante and you can watch the events unfold, there is live streaming each day from the Centro de Tecnificación Deportiva de Alicante.

Disappointment for Poland and Spain but for both countries medal hopes remain very much alive. In addition to Igor Misztal, Marek Chybinski is through to the semi-final stage of Men’s Singles Class 11.

Meanwhile, for Spain, there are high hopes in Men’s Singles Class 6 for Alvaro Valera, as there are in Class 7 for Jordi Morales and in Class 9 for Juan Bautista Perez. All ended the first day of play unbeaten and in top positions in their respective groups.

However, the nation to watch is undoubtedly China; top seeds in their respective categories in Men’s Singles events, in Class 1-2 Gao Yan Ming is very much on course, as is Fan Panfeng. Likewise, in Men’s Singles Class 7 Yan Shuo topped his group on the opening day as did Zhao Shuai in Class 8.

Similarly, from China in the Women’s Singles events, in Class 4 the name of Zhou Ying is prominent as in Class 8-9 is that of Xiong Guiyan; also having beaten Turkey’s Merve Demir, the top seed, in the group phase in Class 10, Hou Chunxiao is a player to be noted.