OCT BTTO SINGLE REPORTS

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1 OCT BTTO SINGLE REPORTS MALE SINGLES Class 1 (Male) No 1 seed Paul Davies (GBR) looked to have an easy day in group stage of class 1 but this changed completely when facing Korean Heyon Uk Kim. The latter won with 3-2 (11-7;9-11;11-9;5-11;11-5). Heyon was in great shape because later he also beat higher ranked Sylvio Keller (SUI) and has thanks to that very good chances to become the group winner. The interesting duel tomorrow between Paul Davies (GBR) and Sylvio Keller (SUI) will most likely only decide for place two. Despite a well-played match by Paul Davies (GBR) beating Sylvio Keller (SUI) (3-0), it was not sufficient to win the class. Because Korean Heyon Kim went straight for the win by being the better of Antonio Piva (ITA) (3-0). Gold: Hyeon Uk KIM (KOR) Silver: Paul DAVIES (GBR) Bronze: Sylvio KELLER (SUI) Class 2 (Male) Favourite world No1 Fabien Lamirault (FRA) had no problems with his opponents and placed himself for the semi-finals. There, he will meet his French colleague Benoit Besset who did not manage to be the better of Victor Eduardo Reyes Turcio (MEX) in his group (1-3). Will Fabien Lamirault get easily through for the gold medal? Yes sir, impressive, no problems for Fabien Lamirault. He wins class 2 as expected and can start to focus on the team competition in which he plays with his compatriot Benoit Besset. Gold: Fabien LAMIRAULT (FRA) Silver: Victor Eduardo REYES TURCIO (MEX) Bronze: Tim BUNTE (GER) & Benoit BESSET (FRA). Class 3 (Male) In class 3, all balances of power were respected. No 1 seed Rumanian Dacian Makszin had no troubles to get through to the semi-final. In there, he will try to beat Belgian Benjamin Marotte. In the final he will for sure face a French counterpart given the other semi-final is the expected French duel between Florian Paire and Francois Geuljans. The Belgian Benjamin Marotte was clearly boosted by the local public. In an exciting match he won

2 with the closest difference from No1 seed Rumanian Dacian Makszin (1-11;11-6;10-12;11-7;11-9). It took him some energy for being top in the final, in any case the deserved golden medal went to French Francois Geuljans (0-3). Florian Paire (FRA) completes the podium. Gold: Francois GEULJANS (FRA) Silver: Benjamin MAROTTE (BEL) Bronze: Florian PAIRE (FRA) & Dacian MAKSZIN (ROU) Class 4 (Male) Class 4 is dominated by French No1 seed and No3 of the world Maxime Thomas. Nevertheless, he will still need to proof his strength by beating Krszysztof Zylka (POL) in tomorrow s match for place 1. Still to mention here is 18-years old Guillaume Pedrona (FRA) who beat up Nicolas Antier (FRA) (3-0) and has a potential bronze medal in case he beats David Gabriel (ISR). Maxime Thomas did what was necessary. He won from Krszysztof Zylka (POL) and assured himself gold. However, it wasn t a given, after being 2-0 ahead, Krszysztof strongly came back but still had to acknowledge Maxime s superiority at the end of set 5. Despite a loss of Guillaume Pedrona (FRA) against David Gabriel (ISR), he still brought back to France a bronze medal, nice achievement for him. Quote Maxime Thomas: I started excellent with a 2-0 in sets ahead. However, after Krszysztof became more in the game and started to get nervous. But in the end I did what was needed, happy now! We are neighbour countries and enjoy to be here on the tournament for the second time, this gold medal makes it extra sweet. Class 5 (Male) All eyes to the very popular local player Bart Brands (BEL), he managed to beat Joerg Didion (GER) in 3-1 and was with that visibly relieved. No1 seed Valentin Baus (GER) became the leader of the other group, interesting (semi)-finals coming up for day 2. Quote Bart Brands: I did not feel very good this morning, little cold and felt the stress of the big number of home public that especially came here to watch my matches. That is why I feel very relieved to have beaten Joerg Didion. I know Joerg very well, I also play with him in the German Bundesliga and became actually my friend. I lost against him in the finals of last Belgian Open that s why I am very happy to have this win and the first place in the group stage already in the pocket. Now focus is on tomorrows semi-(finals). The home public is giving me stress but also wings, I am looking forward! The semi-finals brought clear 3-0 results for both final players Valentin Baus (GER) and Bart Brands (BEL). As a result, they faced each other in the finals. In there, Valentin Baus was the better (3-1).

3 Quote Valentin Baus: I felt really good today, I played well, much better than at the Europeans where I lost against Bart. I learned a bit from that match but after all I mainly improved my own level. Hard training work now delivered the gold! Gold: Valentin BAUS (GER) Silver: Bart BRANDS (BEL) Bronze: Gerardus VAN GRUNSVEN (NED) & Joerg DIDION (GER) Class 6 (Male) 21 matches in the group stages of class six but not a single 5-setter. In other words, clear results which led in group D to a win for German Tim Laue against Swiss Valentin Kneuss. By doing that, Tim Laue avoided favourite Bobi Simion (ROU) in the quarter final. A good move because later on he managed to win from Conor Kenneth Mcadam (GBR) in his quarter final (3-1). Still, the British have Robert Perry and Paul Karabardak in both semi-finals to go for the medals. The British did all to see each other in the finals and so it worked out. In particular the win of Martin Perry (GBR) against No1 seed Bobi Simion (ROU) is worth to mention (3-2). Unfortunately for him another stunt against his usual training partner Paul Karabardak (GBR) was not in the playing cards. Paul did not only win gold but also gained golden world ranking points on this tournament. Gold: Paul Arif KARABARDAK (GBR) Silver: Martin Robert PERRY (GBR) Bronze: Tim LAUE (GER) & Bobi SIMION (ROU). Class 7 (Male) Class 7 has the Belgian Ben Despineux who is very eager to perform in the Sint-Niklaas arena. He made it to the semi-final but had it not easy in his first match against Alexander Bland (GBR) (3-2). Alexander played very well and was also close to a win of Hans Speek (NED) but got no deserve in final result (2-3). No 1 seed Miroslav Jambor (SVK) placed himself for the other semi-final. He will meet good performing Japanese Kosuke Hemmi. And last who still has a chance for the top places is Steven Roman Chinchilla (CRC), he beat in his quarter final Jacobus Meiland (NED) with the smallest difference after a comeback (2 sets behind) in a very attractive game (8-11;8-11;11-6;11-9;12-20) Belgian Ben Despineux gave it all as usual. He showed his superiority in the semi-final against Steven Roman Chinchilla (CRC) who played a good tournament (3-1). In the final No 1 seed Miroslav Jambor (SVK) was waiting, intensive game with a deserved win for the Slovakian (3-1). Gold: Miroslav JAMBOR (SVK) Silver: Ben Ashok DESPINEUX (BEL) Bronze: Steven ROMAN CHINCHILLA (CRC) & Kosuke HEMMI (JPN)

4 Class 8 (Male) With 18 players, class 8 is well represented this Belgian TT Open. Here the firework still needs to come with a very attractive semi-final between Billy Shilton (GBR) and Mathieu Loicq (BEL). Both still have a clean sheet with no lost set. At the other side of the draw table, we see a semi-final between Marc Ledoux (BEL) and Elias Debeyssac (FRA). Elias won his quarter final In a very close match from Italian Samul De Chiara (11-6;9-11;11-6;11-13;11-6). Worth notice is also Qualifier Benjamin Sander (GER) who proved he has a place in the international para circuit by directly winning his first match from Palatka Daniel (CZE) (3-1). Billy Shilton (GBR) was one of the first at the warming up this morning and was well focused for his semi-final against Mathieu Loicq (BEL). Nevertheless, with experience Mathieu ensured himself of the finals with a very nice game that ended with the smallest difference (11-6;3-11;4-11;11-6;11-9). Marc Ledoux (BEL) had less problems in his semi-final against Elias Debeyssac (FRA). As a consequence, a Belgian dream final came through with the win in advantage of Marc Ledoux (BEL). Quote Marc Ledoux: It was difficult, mainly mentally as Mathieu is my friend and we used to play together and train already for a long time. This win is a well deserve for the continuous training I do next to my normal job. Its somehow mixed feelings due to the defeat of Mathieu but in the end very happy to have made it in this strong represented tournament. Class 9 (Male) Next to Bart Brands, the home public came for top world ranked Laurens De Vos. He kept the focus and went through to the semi-finals without a lost set. He is also closely followed by the Japanese national television and right they are because chances are growing for a final against Koyo Iwabuchi (JPN). But before that might happen Laurens will need to beat Joshua Stacey (GBR), both only 17 years old! Joshua is clearly the surprise of the class by smooth wins In his group against higher ranked Pawel Konstantyn (POL) and Daniel Dinca (ROU), in quarter final he send Pawel Jablonski (POL) home. Will Laurens be the logical stop for him or will he become the revelation of the tournament? At the other side of draw table Koyo Iwabuchi will face Yannik Ruddenklau (GER). Quote Laurens De Vos: Key today was to keep relaxed and focused which worked out, I am happy. Especially my level was good and I read my opponents game very well. Next, I am honoured to have the Japanese national television following, they hope for a final against Iwabuchi Koyo. Let s see but that would be very nice. The team competition I am not playing as I will prepare myself for the youth Olympic selection games. I will miss the unique support I get here from the local public, a nice recognition

5 Laurens De Vos (BEL) was very determined to fulfil his favourite role. He let revelation in class 9 Joshua Stacey (GBR) no chance and won (3-0). Also Japanese Koyo Iwabuchi was in great shape and beat Yannik Ruddenklau (3-0). A logic and exciting final came through. In there, Koyo Iwabuchi did the best he can resulting in beautiful points but it was the expected Laurens De Vos who triumphed. Gold: Laurens DEVOS (BEL) Silver: Koyo IWABUCHI (JPN) Bronze: Yannik Klaus RUDDENKLAU (GER) & Joshua STACEY (GBR) Class 10 (Male) Class 10 promised spectacular matches and did not disappoint. Where Jose Manuel Ruiz Reyes (ESP) had no problems to place himself for the semi-finals, differently it was for No 1 seed Mateo Boheas (FRA). The loss of Mateo Boheas against Emanuel Martins Perreira in the group is still in the memory (1-3) but especially the further loss in the quarter final against Bas Hergelink (NED) was the clear sign of having an off-day. Early exit Mateo Boheas. Aside, still open competition in this class, what else is to be expected here? Quote Ruiz Reyes Jose Manuel (ESP) : I have come to the Belgian TT Open to obtain important world ranking points for placing to the world championship next year. So far I have been very happy with my group stage, against South African Theo Cogill it was by moments close but I ensured the win. I saw Mateo Boheas loosing which was a big surprise to me but it does not change my focus as the there are some outsiders and young players that clearly would like to show themselves, I need to be sharp! Class 10 brought amazing top level table tennis. First there was the long battle between Igor Misztal (POL) and, stunting the day before, Emanuel Martins Ferreira (NED). In the 5 th set, Igor Misztal managed to turn a 4-6 behind in a 11-6 match gain (11-4;8-11;9-11;11-8;11-6). In the final he faced another Dutch Bas Hergelink who managed to beat Jose Manuel Ruiz Reyes in his semi-final (11-8;3-11;11-13;14-12;11-7). An exciting final brought spectacle with a 5-setter finisher. Bas Hergelink came out as champion with the smallest difference (11-8;10-12;11-5;8-11;11-9). Quote Bas Hergelink (NED): What a match! I have got some injuries in the last year which put me back a bit but I returned training and see now my level increasing. Today s win is a big merit for myself. I actually lost against Misztal Igor in the group stage but today I played really well. Gold: Bas HERGELINK (NED) Silver: Igor MISZTAL (POL) Bronze: Jose Manuel RUIZ REYES (ESP) & Emanuel MARTINS FERREIRA (NED) Class 11 (Male) The immer sympathetic Florian Van Acker (BEL) is demonstrating his strength and is up to win the golden medal. Only barrier is still Marek Chybinski (POL), not a given but the local public has not

6 come for less and will support. After the defeat at the European Championships against Lucas Creange (FRA), this could build up again his confidence. Florian Van Acker kept the gold medal home with a trouble-free match against Marek Chybinski (POL) (3-0). Florian Hartig (GER) won his last match against Damian Fira (POL) (3-2) and finishes with that with the silver medal. Gold: Florian VAN ACKER (BEL) Silver: Florian HARTIG (GER) FEMALE SINGLES Class 1-3 (Female) Femke Cobben (NED) is making her favorite role real so far. Femke, together with Lucie Bouron (GBR) did not lose any set and will play against each other for a golden medal. Little surprise in the last day with Femke Cobben (NED) who had to accept a defeat by Lucie Bouron (GBR) in the last match for the medals. (0-3) Gold: Lucie BOURON (GBR) Silver: Femke COBBEN (NED) Class 4-5 (Female) All eyes are on the top ranked players Sandra Mikolaschek (GER) and Susan Gilroy (GBR). They will play their semi-finals against Tamara Leonelli Leonelli (CHI) and Megan Shackleton (GBR). The expected final between Sandra Mikolaschek (GER) and Susan Gilroy (GBR). No 1 seed Sandra Mikoaschek won relatively easy in 3-0. Gold: Sandra MIKOLASCHEK (GER) Silver: Susan GILROY (GBR) Bronze: Megan SHACKLETON (GBR) & Tamara Isabel LEONELLI LEONELLI (CHI) Class 6-7 (Female) No surprises so far but the number ones of the two groups had to work hard to beat their most important opponent in the group. Stephanie Grebe (GER) won from Lucy Pickard (GBR) (11-7;10-12;11-13;11-8;11-4) and Katarzyna Marszal (POL) won from Anne Barneoud (FRA) (11-9;5-11;11-5;9-11;11-9). Curious if the same close matches will happen tomorrow in the semi-final.

7 The golden medallist of 2015, Lucy Pickard (GBR), did not manage to succeed a new stunt again by losing from Katarzyna Marszal (POL) (1-3). At the other side of draw table, Anne Barneoud (FRA) went through to the final by beating No1 seed Stephanie Grebe (GER). In this final, all options were possible but it was Katarzyna Marszal who succeeded the win and important world ranking points. Gold: Katarzyna MARSZAL (POL) Silver: Anne BARNEOUD (FRA) Bronze: Felicity Lucy PICKARD (GBR) & Stephanie GREBE (GER) Class 8-10 (Female) Interesting to mention here is the success of Marlene Reeg (GER) against higher ranked Yasuko Kudo (JPN) (3-0). Aida Dahlen (NOR) is still on schedule for gold but when Yasuko Kudo would beat her tomorrow, it might still get a set calculation to decide on the medals. When Marlene Reeg (GER) was two sets ahead against Lucie Hautiere (FRA) and Aida Dahlen (NOR) at the same time faced a 0-2 sets behind against Yasuko Kudo (JPN). The calculators came on the table. Luckily for the less mathematicians in the public no further calculations were needed because Aida Dahlen turned the match around and managed, with a bit of luck at the end, to win (8-11;6-11;11-6;11-7;12-10). Quote Aida Dahlen (NOR): Stress overtook me from the beginning. I was expecting a good play by her (Yasuko Kudo), my level was just not high enough. I realize I was really lucky with even a match point against me in the fifth set that I erased by a ball at the very end of the table. I am glad but I need to find the balance back, I started too nervous. Gold: Aida DAHLEN (NOR) Silver: Marlene REEG (GER) Bronze: Yasuko KUDO (JPN)