Catherine Fletcher made a winning start to her women's singles challenge today on the first day of the 22nd Summer Deaflympics after beating Russia's Anastasyia Grin.
Fletcher, the seventh seed, beat Grinn 6-1, 6-4 in the first meeting between the two players and Wiltshire's five-time Deaflympian will now play Hsiu-Hsiang of Chinese Taipei or Jennifer Woyahn for a place in the quarter-finals.
"That was actually my first singles match in a long time as I've mainly been playing doubles so it was great to be back on the singles court although I could have done a bit better in that second set," said Fletcher, who started as the Tennis Foundation's National Deaf Coach earlier this year.
"The job is done though and I will take the positives away from the match. Tonight I'm looking forward to the Opening Ceremony and then bring on the next round!"
There was not quite so much success for Jack Clifton, who slipped to a narrow 6-4, 6-4 loss to Chinese Taipei's Chun Wei-Wang on his Deaflympic debut.
"I was disappointed to lose as it was such a close match but there were many positives I can take from it. I loved the experience of playing in a Deaflympics for the first time and will continue to train hard and improve as I play more," added Clifton.
Fletcher will partner Bethany Brookes for the start of the women's double on Saturday's second day of play in Sofia as the British duo begin their bid to follow up their silver medal at the 2012 European Deaf Tennis Championships in Germany. Fletcher and Brookes will play India's Nishtha Dudeja and Shilipi Jaiswal in their opening match as Brookes makes her Deaflympic debut.
Catherine Fletcher's husband Lewis is the fifth seed for the men's singles and is expected to get his challenge underway on Sunday after a first round bye.
Fletcher and Fletcher are fourth seeds for the mixed singles in Sofia, where the reigning National champions and 2012 European Championships bronze medallists also have a first round bye before beginning their bid for more medal success. Catherine Fletcher won the mixed doubles gold medal for Great Britain four years ago at the Taipei Deaflympics.
Lewis Fletcher and fellow Brit Peter Willcox are sixth seeds for the men's doubles and the four-time National champions also have a first round bye.
Catherine and Lewis Fletcher are among five players selected by the Tennis Foundation to be a member of the Great Britain squad of athletes for the 22nd Summer Deaflympics in Sofia. Play continues until 3 August, with medal matches taking place on Friday, 2 August and Saturday, 3 August.
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