Cuba’s Yunier Fernandez defeated 2016 Paralympic champion Rob Davies 3-0 in the Men’s Class 1 Singles Final. Davies lost the opening set 14-12 in a back and forth battle, that saw Davies have two game points of his own. The second was over much quicker, with Fernandez taking it 11-7 after building an early lead that Davies couldn’t quite recover from. From there, Fernandez never looked like turning back and ultimately took the third and final set 11-4.

The final itself is one that few would have necessarily predicted before the Games. Davies was the 6th seed and Fernandez was the 7th. It was the Brit who took a noticeable victory over the second seed, Kim Hakjin (KOR) in the quarter final, which must have given him a world of confidence before his semi final with 3rd seed Endre Major (HUN). Fernandez had previously defeated Egypt’s Eslam Raslan (9), GB’s Tom Matthews (4), and Federico Falco of Italy (5).

Paris was Davies’ third Paralympics having also competed in London 2012, and famously won the Men’s Class 1 Singles title in Rio 2016. Having reached the final in Paris, he can return home with his head held high.

Yunier Fernandez had played at two previous Paralympic Games in Beijing 2008 and in Tokyo 2020, but had never reached the medal matches in any event before Paris. Arguably, his career high came only last year as he won the Men’s Class 1 Singles at the Para Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile.

Bayley makes it four finals in a row

Earlier in the day, Will Bayley produced what can only be described as a dominant victory over the Netherlands’ Jean Paul Montanus 3-0.

Both players looked ready for a place in the final during the first set, but Bayley drew ahead and, from that point, never looked back. It got better and better for the man from Royal Tunbridge Wells, who only conceded 8 more points in the whole match.

In the other semi-final taking place, it was a much closer affair, as defending champion and third seed, Yan Shuo of China, only just defeated Thailand’s Chalermpong Punpoo 3-2. The match highlights will no doubt focus on the second set which ended up in Yan’s favour, as he won 19-17. In a game that could have gone either way, the champion from Tokyo ultimately prevailed to set up a rematch against Bayley.

Will Bayley now faces arguably the biggest task of his Paralympic journey to date. He entered the competition as the world number 1, seed number won, having won nearly every event that he’d entered in the past season, but he goes up against an opponent who has beaten him at the biggest stage before.

Having won this competition in Rio 2016, Bayley is hungrier than ever to claim back his title:

“I think I’m at the best level that I could be, and I’ve given myself the best chance. I feel as fit as I’ve ever felt before, I feel younger than I did in 2020”

Massive crowds have turned up in Paris, including 120 fans from Brighton Table Tennis Club alone and it’s the big atmospheres that Bayley relishes in.

It will not be an easy task, but Bayley has explained that his drive to win in front of what feel like a home crowd, might just get him over the line:

“I don’t think it’s unfair to say that this will be the most special moment of my life. Brighton are coming, my children are there, my family are there, my Mum, my Dad, and to share that moment is what it’s all about

“They’ve given me so much support and I can’t wait for the moment, if I do do it, then they’ll be there. They’ll be the first ones to celebrate with me, and it’s going to be special.

The final starts at 18:15 GMT. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that the final will be broadcast on the British rightsholder, Channel 4, but it may be streamed through the Channel 4 Sport YouTube page. You will also be able to follow along point by point here.

Results

Men’s Class 7 Singles – Semi Final
Will Bayley bt Jean Paul Montanus (NED) 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 11-2)

Men’s Class 1 Singles – Final
Yunier Fernandez (CUB) bt Rob Davies 3-0 (14-12, 11-7, 11-4)