by Ian Marshall, Editor
In his opening contest of the day, the teenager from South Wales accounted for Spain’s Juan Bautista Perez Gonzalez, the no.2 seed (11-4, 11-9, 11-8), before cementing group first place by overcoming Japan’s Nobuyuki Suzuki (11-8, 12-10, 11-8).
Defeat for Juan Bautista Perez Gonzalez but it was his is only defeat of the day, thus second place in the group was secured and a main draw reserved. Meanwhile for the remaining leading names in class 9, it was top spot as status advised. Russia’s Iurii Nozdrunov, Italy’s Mohamed Amine Kalem and Sweden’s Daniel Gustafsson all clinched first places.
A quite special performance from one British player and there was fighting display from another on what was a special day. On his 25th birthday Martin Perry competing in class 6, suffered a five games defeat at the hands of Frenchman Bastien Grundeler (7-11, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 11-5), before overcoming Russia’s Mars Gabdullin by a similar margin (8-11, 11-4, 10-12, 11-9, 11-7) to secure second place.
Notably in the same category, the leading names on duty, Spain’s Alvaro Valera and Denmark’s Peter Rosemeier reserved top spots without drama, as in class 7 did China’s Yan Shuo and Great Britain’s Will Bayley. Similarly, in class 8 Ukraine’s Viktor Didukh and China’s Zhao Shuai enjoyed success.
However, in class 10 and in class 11, there were surprises. In class 10, Poland’s Patryk Chojnowski, the top seed, had to settle for third place, having been required to concede his match against China’s Mao Shubo. Italy’s Lorenzo Cordua ended the day in top spot. Next in line, Bulgaria’s Denislav Kodjabashev, the no.2 seed, duly finished in first place in his group.
An unexpected outcome, it was similar in class 11; Hungary’s Peter Palos, had to settle for second place behind Korea Republic’s Kim Changi; somewhat differently, Belgium’s Florian Van Acker, the top seed, encountered no such troubles, first place was his lot.
Play in the men’s singles standing classes concludes on Thursday 9th May.
Thermana Lasko Slovenia Para Open 2019: Latest results and main draws
