Nice One Paul.

[MickM]

Paul Drinkhall is the only Englishman left in the World Junior Championships in Palo Alto. The 17 year was pushed all the way in the singles by France’s Thomas Breton before winning 4-2 to reach the last 16.

“I didn’t feel right, I was slow,” said Paul afterwards. Something he will have to sort out before his next match against one of the tournaments dark horses An Yan of China.

But there were defeats for Darius Knight to Japan’s Juin Ueda 4-2 with Daniel Reed losing 4-0 to the Taipei player Po Chen.

Earlier Gavin Evans lost a seven game thriller to Japan’s Yosh Kai but only after a tremendous battle that proved once again what a prospect the 14 year old is turning out to be.

Keep the flag flying !:happy:

[Annie]

What a terrific post and I agree, keep the home flag flying for your fellow Country Man (or woman)! :woho:

[DaveR]

Sadly England’s hopes of a singles medal faded at the World Junior Championships in Palo Alto with the defeat of Paul in the last 16.

The 17 year old No 1 lost to China’s An Yan 6 11, 11 9, 8 11, 8 11, 11 8, 11 3. 11 6. losing the last seven points in a row in the crucial seventh game. Russia’s Mikhail Paykov, the only European left in the competition, then beat Yan to reach the semi-finals with three of the last four players from the Far East.

Unfortunately it looks like the other English players didn’t fare any better in the doubles with Drinkhall and Knight losing in the last 16 with Reed and Evans falling in the last 32.

The success of England in all sports needs to improve dramatically if we are to become a force within the "big hitters" of sporting nations such as France, Italy, China and the other top countries, maybe as usual the government needs to address the structure of sport within the country with more money and better facilities being used or made available.

The general improvement of all teams in any sport will only improve through major investment and dedication.

[Annie]

maybe as usual the government needs to address the structure of sport within the country with more money and better facilities being used or made available.

The general improvement of all teams in any sport will only improve through major investment and dedication.

The Government investing more into sport in Schools can only be a good thing not only to provide every opportunity for potential sports stars to be discovered but in general every child could benefit from the disciplines and team spirt that sport has to offer.