Heartbreak for Bayley after spectacular final

Will Bayley said it was a privilege to be part of a thrilling table tennis final as he won silver in the Class 7 men’s singles.

The 36-year-old was playing in his fourth straight singles final at a Paralympic Games, but was unable to reclaim the gold he won at Rio 2016.

Instead, defending champion Yan Shuo of China retained his title with a 3-2 (11-8 12-14 11-7 7-11 11-9) win in the showpiece.

“I thought it was a great game, I thought he played well,” Bayley said. “I thought he was superb as well.

“Some of the points were actually great and I was enjoying it, some of the balls I hit were unbelievable and he hit some unbelievable shots which I was surprised about as well.

“I enjoyed the match, I enjoyed being a part of it, it was a privilege, it was probably the best two class 7 players for a long long time going head to head at their best.

“But I am gutted because I felt it was my destiny to win this tournament.”

Bayley was cheered on by over 100 members of Brighton Table Tennis Club, as well as friends and family.

He delivered a thrilling performance, coming back from a five-point deficit to level the match in the second game.

When he forced a decider, it was the calmest Bayley, who famously jumped on the table to celebrate his gold in Rio, had looked all match.

Bayley then made a strong start to the final game, but at 3-1, he was shown a second yellow card which saw Yan awarded a point.

Yan took the lead before Bayley fought back as the game was balanced on a knife edge.

In the end, the defending champion took it but Bayley vowed to continue as he believes even 16 years after his Paralympic debut, he is in the form of his life.

He added: “I’m devastated, it hasn’t really sunk in yet, I am really upset because I felt like I was better player to be honest.

“I don’t know how to say it without feeling bitter, I felt good today and the better player on the day but he is a top player and I have to give credit to him.

“He played amazingly good points. It is sport isn’t, you can feel like you lose on an inch or millimetres, it is hard to take.

“I think I am good enough to win a Paralympic Games, it just is what is. I feel good, I will try and get over this loss and 100% I want to play in LA.”