Paul Drinkhall’s Australian Open run was brought to an end at the semi-final stage by Vladimir Samsonov today.

The England No 1, who had notched some impressive scalps on his way to the last four, fought hard but his opponent was too good in a 4-1 (11-8, 11-4, 11-6, 7-11, 11-7) scoreline.

The Belarus player will face Simon Gauzy in the final after the Frenchman defeated Cho Seungmin of Korea in six sets in the other semi-final.

Earlier, Drinkhall sunk Yuya Oshima in the quarter-finals in Surfers Paradise. He defeated the Japanese world No 26 4-2 (11-8, 7-11, 11-8, 7-11, 11-4, 11-8).

Drinkhall told the ITTF website:

I’m enjoying myself out there. Recently that’s what I have managed to do the last couple of years, spending a little more time with family and remembering how fun it is to play table tennis; I managed to show that in the match today.

I was told when I was seven that you can’t play well if you’re not having fun; I’m only just remembering it now.

Drinkhall’s win follows impressive victories in the earlier rounds, including a last-16 clash against Tristan Flore – click here to watch that match or watch the highlights of Drinkhall vs Cheng Zhiyang below.