by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

Notably, the success recorded by Faith Erden was against expectations; he beat Jordan’s Saber Baleh, the second seed (11-8, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9);  the consolation for Saber Baleh was that it was his only defeat. Thus he gained runners up spot and advanced to the main draw.

In all Para tournaments, in events where there are two stages, in the first phase players finishing in first and second places in each group advance to the main draw.

Similarly, competing in Women’s Singles Class 6-10, in a group organised event, Ümran Ertis added to Turlish joy, she ended the day unbeaten.

Equally, visitors from Egypt enjoyed good form; Faiza Mahmoud in particular caught the eye. Competing in Women’s Singles Class 3-5, she beat India’s Bhavina Patel, the no.2 seed (9-11, 12-10, 6-11, 12-10, 12-10) to remain unbeaten and thus secured first place in her group. It was the only defeat for Bhavina Patel who duly advanced to the semi-final round. Pertinently, in the corresponding group, first place was secured by the host nation’s Khetam Abuawad, the top seed.

Meanwhile, flying the flag for Egypt, in Men’s Singles Class 2-3, Mamdouch Tama topped his group, a feat also achieved by Jordan’s Islam Al-Yamani. Fine performances by Egyptian players there was one more that caught the eye; in Men’s Singles Class 7, a group all-play-all organised event, Ahmed Sayed Mohamed, the top seed, ended the day unbeaten

A good day for Turkey and Egypt, it was the same for Malaysia. In Men’s Singles Class 9, Ting Ming Hock and Chee Chao Ming, the top two names on duty enjoyed success. First place in the group reserved; at the quarter-final stage, Ting Ming Hock beat Algeria’s Mounjed Benamor (11-7, 11-1, 11-4), Chee Chao Ming overcame India’s Ravinder Yadav (11-2, 11-5, 11-5).

Success for Malaysia and in Men’s Singles Class 10, there was more success; Mohamed Bakar, the top seed, finished in first place in his group.

Notable efforts from Turkey, Egypt and Malaysia; India and the Ivory Coast were not to be left out; in group organised events. In Women’s Singles Class 6-10, India’s Bavi Ravi remained unbeaten, as in Men’s Singles Class 5, did Sanjeev Hammannavar . In as similar vein Men’s Singles Class 8 the Ivory Coast’s Kouame Kouadio, like Sanjeev Hammannavar, the top seed, enjoyed a trouble free day.

Play in the individual events concludes on Tuesday 21st November.

Al-Watani Para Open: Latest results and forthcoming matches