Davies heads British squad for Czech Open

Paralympic champion Rob Davies will prepare for the defence of his European title at the end of September by competing in the PTT Czech Open in Ostrava this week (September 7-9). The 33 year old Welshman who won gold in the men’s class 1 singles in Rio will be joined by a squad of eight young British Pathway and Development players including Jack Stockdale, gold medallist in this year’s Italian Junior (U23) Open, Romania Junior (U23) Open champions Conor McAdam, Craig Allen and Shae Thakker, and Alex Bland, gold medallist in the men’s class 7 team event at the Spanish Open in June.

“Training has been going well,” said Davies, “and I’m looking forward to playing some matches. It will be a good warm-up for the Europeans – there are some good players in my class including the Italian Federico Falco who beat me in Germany earlier this year so I hope that I get to play him again. I’m not at my peak yet but I’m getting there so I’m happy with where I am at the moment.”

The full British squad for the Czech Open is:
Craig Allen – class 9 (Bromsgrove)
Alex Bland – class 7 (Rotherham)
Lucie Bouron – class 3 (Bracknell)
Daniel Bullen – class 5 (St Neots)
Rob Davies – class 1 (Brecon)
Ryan Henry – class 8 (Ardrossan)
Conor McAdam – class 6 (Dundonald)
Jack Stockdale – class 10 (Romford)
Shae Thakker – class 10 (Slough)