Top seeded Paul Drinkhall made his way safely into the last eight of the Under 21 Boys Singles at the English Open. His opponent at the last 16 stage – Tomas Tregler (Cze) is the “real deal” – a classy all-action top-spinner with some excellent flicks especially on the forehand.  However, Drinkhall despatched Tregler, the Winner of the 2008 European Junior Top 10 Tournament at this same venue in commanding style, 4-1.

After a first game that Drinkhall will wish to erase from his memory Paul barely put a foot wrong and he won a succession of breath-taking points as his opponent was forced further and further away from the table. Tregler badly needed to win the fourth game and he had his chance at 10-7 but Paul wasn’t beaten and he hit back with real venom to steal it 12-10. There was only going to be one winner in the fifth game and Paul completed an excellent 3-11, 11-6, 11-3, 12-10, 11-3 victory.

Paul faces Seo Hyun Deok (Kor) in the Quarter-Final.

Image: Paul Drinkhall, courtesy tabletennisphotos.com

Steve Kerns