Martin Ludrovsky emerged successful in class 2, accounting for Spain’s Iker Sastre in the final (7-11, 11-8, 11-6, 12-10); Jan Riapos, the top seed and like Martin Ludrovsky from Slovakia, suffered a quarter-final defeat at the hands of the host nation’s Jiri Suchanek (11-6, 11-6, 12-10). Alas for Jiri Suchanek the euphoria was short lived; in the next round Martin Ludrovsky ended adventures (11-5, 5-11, 14-12, 11-8).

Good form from Martin Ludrovsky, it was the same in class 3 from Anurak Laowong; he accounted for Serbia’s Mladen Gric (11-5, 11-5, 12-10), the quarter-final winner in opposition to Poland’s Maciej Napelka, the top seed (12-10, 11-9, 12-10). Similarly in class 6 Peter Rosemeier overcame his arch rival, Spain’s Alvaro Valera, the leading name, to claim class 6 gold.

Noteworthy performances

Imposing it was the same from Charlermpong Punpoo who secured the class 7 title at the expense of the host nation’s Daniel Horhut (11-8, 11-7, 11-8), the semi-final winner in opposition to Spain’s Jordi Morales, the top seed (13-11, 11-5, 11-9). Likewise, in class 8 Billy Shilton excelled, at the final hurdle he accounted for Frenchman Claude Berthier (11-5, 11-7, 11-6), the penultimate round winner when facing Belgium’s Mark Ledoux, the top seed (13-11, 11-9, 11-8).

“I’m really pleased to have won the gold; especially with Tokyo just around the corner; every match and every win means a lot for qualification. I was satisfied with my level; in the last couple of weeks in training I’ve made a few small adjustments to help me and I feel that it has really paid off.” Billy Shilton

Outstanding performances, it was no different from David Jacobs; he secured the class 10 title at the expense of Poland’s Igor Misztal (13-11, 11-5, 9-11, 7-11, 11-8), the semi-final winner in opposition to the latter’s colleague, Patryk Chojnowski (12-10, 13-11, 12-10).

Status prevails

A total of six upsets, in the remaining five men’s singles events, the outcome was a status advised. Korea Republic’s Joo Youngdae clinched the class 1 title, Frenchman André Delarque emerged successful in class 4, as did Norway’s Tommy Urhaug in class 5. Similarly, Spain’s Juan Perez secured class 9 gold; Hungary’s Peter Palos prevailed in class 11.

According to status; in the women’s singles events, Italy’s Giadi Rossi claimed the class 1-2 title, as did Korea Republic’s Yoo Jiyu in class 3, colleague Kang Oejeong in class 5 and Serbia’s Borislava Peric-Rankovic in class 4. Likewise, Russia’s Victoriya Safonova won the class 7 event, a feat achieved as predicted in class 8 by Norway’s Aida Dahlen.

Surprises

However, as with the men, there were upsets. Great Britain’s Felicity Pickard excelled expectations. She secured the class 6 top prize finishing ahead of Russia’s Svetlana Nestrenko; Poland’s Katarzyna Matszal had to settle for fourth place.

“It’s obviously great to win gold. Marszal played really well, so credit to her. My level was fine but I definitely feel that if I can be positive then I can beat anyone in the world. I am excited for the Europeans now.” Felicity Pickard

Undoubtedly, Felicity Pickard raised the eyebrows, as did Hungary’s Alexa Svitacs; she secured the class 9 title accounting for Russia’s Anastasia Keshenevich in the final (11-8, 8-11, 11-5, 13-11). Earlier at the semi-final stage, Anastasia Keshenevich had beaten top seeded colleague, Olga Komleva-Gorshkaleva (7-11, 12-10, 9-11, 11-6, 11-4).

Likewise, Chinese Taipei’s Tian Shiau-Wei attracted the attention; she beat top seed, Denmark’s Sophie Walloe (11-4, 11-5, 10-12, 13-11) to emerge the class 10 champion. Meanwhile, in a similar vein Russia’s Anzhelika Kosacheva struck gold in class 11, at the final hurdle she beat Indonesia’s Ana Widyasari (11-8, 11-3, 4-11, 11-5), the penultimate round winner in opposition to Hong Kong’s Ng Mui Wui (7-11, 11-8, 11-8, 11-4) the top seed.

The team events conclude play in Ostrava on Sunday 8th September.