by Ian Marshall

Competing in men’s singles class 8, he accounted for Frenchman, Clément Berthier (11-6, 11-7, 14-12); notably in the third game, he led 10-7, then held match point on three further occasions before succeeding.

“It is really hard, especially when you are in this environment, and you are thinking ‘I’ve just got to win one more point’ and then he comes back, and you think you might have blown it. But that is why it is really important to stay in the same mindset, remember your tactics, don’t think too much about the occasion, don’t think too much about the scoreboard. Just think of your tactics for the next point and try and carry them out to the best of your ability.” Ross Wilson

Success for Ross Wilson, there was more success for Great Britain; at the same time and in the same event, colleague Aaron McKibbin, accounted for Australia’s Nathan Pellisier (11-9, 11-5, 11-5).

“It is really nice to be back out here competing. My last competition was the European Championships in 2019 and I can’t actually say I’ve ever gone that long without playing a tournament since I started the sport, so I just loved being back out here in this venue. It was a good performance. I was a bit nervous about how I was going to perform after so long but when I got out there everything felt like it used to, and I just loved it.” Aaron McKibbin

Wins for Aaron McKibbin and Ross Wilson were the first of the tournament for Great Britain.

Earlier in the day in men’s singles class 9, after saving three match points in the deciding fifth game, Ashley Facey Thompson experienced defeat at the hands of Japan’s Koyo Iwabuchi (11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-9, 12-10).

Rather less dramatically, Josh Stacey had lost the Australia’s Ma Lin 11-3, 11-4, 11-6).