19 Nov 2018

The Women’s Team events at the 2018 Spanish Para Open Championships in Almeria, concluded on Sunday 28th November, unexpected names finished centre stage.

Contrary to status Russia’s Aleksandra Vasileva and Spain’s Cristina Rubio emerged as surprise winners as did Norway’s Aida Dahlen and Merethe Teiten; both partnerships commenced play as the no.2 seeds.

by Ian Marshall, Editor

In Class 1-4, Aleksandra Vasileva and Cristina Rubio finished ahead of the top seeded combination formed by Japan’s Yukimi Chada and Great Britain’s Lucie Bouron; the partnership comprising Monique Sirgand of France and Colombia’s Manuela Guapi concluded matters in third place.

Perhaps it was not the finish for which Lucie Bouron had hoped but she was not disappointed, a Factor 40 tournament for world ranking, she had finished in second position earlier in the week behind her team partner in Women’s Singles Class 1-3.

“I’m really pleased to come away with two silver medals at my first Factor 40 tournament. It has been a good opportunity to implement some things I’ve been working on in training and also highlighted other areas I need to improve to enable me to take my game to the next level.” Lucie Bouron

First place contrary to expectations for Aleksandra Vasileva and Cristina Rubio; in Class 6-8 it was the same for Aida Dahlen and Merethe Teiten; similarly in a group organized event, they finished ahead of the combination comprising Poland’s Dajana Jastrzebska and Susan Klomp of the Netherlands. The partnership formed by Ukraine’s Mayna Lytovchenko and Russia’s Maliak Alieva, the top seeds, finished in third position.

Surprises, not in Class 9-10; Russia’s Olga Komleva-Gorshkaleva and Elena Litvinenko fully justified their top seeded position in the competition, not an individual match surrendered they finished ahead of Sweden’s Anja Handen and Smilla Sand. Third position ended in the hands of the partnership of Denmark’s Thea Amalie Nielsen and Spain’s Raquel Mateu.

Play in Almeria concluded, attention now turns to Buenos Aires in Argentina; the Copa Tango commences on Friday 30th November.

2018 Spanish Para Open: Latest Results and Main Event Draws

Paralympics Para Table Tennis 2018 Spanish Para Open