by Francesca Bullock, Great Britain Para Team Press Officer
Sue Gilroy and Megan Shackleton lost to Serbia’s Borislava Peric-Rankovic and Nada Matic in the Women’s Team Class 4-5 final
“We played really well as a team. Today we weren’t as consistent in our doubles and I didn’t play as well in the singles. I had a good first set against Peric but then made too many errors. I’m pleased with silver after being out for so long but disappointed in my performance today. Hopefully I will come back stronger in Slovenia on Wednesday and our team performance will get stronger throughout the year.” Sue Gilroy
“I’m really proud to have reached the final out here. We battled really hard but unfortunately it just wasn’t enough today. I’m really proud of my singles performance to reach the quarter-finals and really push the Paralympic bronze medallist to 11-9 in the fifth, especially after a disappointing Italian Open a few weeks ago. I’m looking forward to trying to continue my form in Slovenia next week.” Megan Shackleton
Partnering Ukraine’s Maryna Lytovchenko, it was runners up spot in Women’s Team Class 6-7 for Felicity Pickard
“This tournament has been a great learning experience, especially playing with Maryna. My level definitely improved in the team event and I hope to carry that on in Slovenia.” Felicity Pickard
In Men’s Team Class 5, Jack Hunter-Spivey joined forces with his regular partner Norway’s Tommy Urhaug. They were beaten in the final by the Turkish team of European champion combination of Ali Ozturk, Hamza Caliskan and Abdullah Ozturk.
“I feel I’ve had a good competition. It showed I have a never-say-die attitude to fight back and win matches like I did. Tommy and me had some tough matches in the team and pushed Turkey all the way in the final. They just had too much for us today. Overall I’m feeling good heading into Slovenia.” Jack Hunter-Spivey
Men’s Team Class 6 saw David Wetherill and Martin Perry experience a semi-final defeat at the hands of Chile’s Cristian Dettoni and Nicolas Pino Lorca.
“I didn’t feel that I played my best in the singles event but in the team event I was feeling a lot more confident in myself and my ability to grind out a result. In the semi-final I think I played my best table tennis at this tournament. I was a lot more positive and aggressive and it proved fairly successful. Despite losing my singles 12-10 in the fifth I know that’s the way I want to play next week in Slovenia and if I can replicate that level of play I am sure the results will come.” Martin Perry
The Men’s Team Class 8 event saw Billy Shilton, 19 years old, partner Italy’s Samuel De Chiara. The duo experienced defeat in the final at the hands of Viktor Didukh and Ivan Mai.
“I feel that it has been a good tournament for me. I am happy with my performance and to take a medal in the team with Samuel. The singles competition was good as I felt that I had some tough matches that went in my favour and every time I play a top player now I really believe that I have a chance to win.” Billy Shilton
Meanwhile in Men’s Team Class 9-10, Ashley Facey-Thompson and Josh Stacey experienced defeat in the final at the hands of the Czech Republic’s Ivan Karabec and David Pulpan.
“As it was the first time that Josh and I have played together I thought it was a good competition for us, especially as we were without Kim Daybell and we weren’t seeded. We both played well in the doubles and we learned a lot so we can look forward to playing the team event in Slovenia next week.” Ashley Facey Thompson
“I think as a team Ash and I did very well considering it was the first time we have played together. “It was an enjoyable experience and I’m excited about playing the team event with him again in Slovenia.” Josh Stacey
Next on the list for Great Britain is the Slovenia Para Open; play starts on Wednesday 9th May.
2018 Slovakia Para Open: Latest Results