Paterson Pine advances in archery to set up mouth-watering all-British contest

Archer Phoebe Paterson Pine set up a tantalising ⅛ elimination stage clash with ParalympicsGB team-mate Jess Stretton after overcoming nerves to win her first-round match in the women’s individual compound open.

Paterson Pine beat Tatiana Andrievskaia of the Russian Paralympic Committee 142-138, scoring a perfect 30 in the third end, at Yumenoshima Park after recording a personal best and placing 16th in Friday’s ranking round.

World No.1 Stretton, 21, set a new Paralympic record to finish first in the ranking round, earning her a bye to the second elimination stage, but must now see off her compatriot on Monday if she is to defend the gold medal she won at Rio 2016 aged just 16.

“It’s difficult knowing that I have to go against a teammate, we absolutely adore each other,” explained Paterson Pine, 23.

“As a team we’re very close-knit. We train together four days a week, we compete together so going against her is going to be difficult.

“We’re so equally matched it could go either way, I wish her the best of luck and I know she wishes me the best of luck.

“Going into the match I was incredibly nervous. This is my first Paralympic Games so entering it I just wanted to stick to my process, stick to my shot, do everything I do normally, and I think I did that to an absolute tee.”

Stretton later missed out on a medal opportunity by failing to progress from the mixed team open quarter-finals alongside Nathan MacQueen as Iran just edged out the ParalympicsGB pair 153-151.

“Nathan and I actually shot really well,” said Stretton. “We did all we could given the circumstances. It was going to go one way or the other and we just got unlucky.

“I’m both nervous and excited for tomorrow morning. I think I’m a bit nervous because it’s against Phoebe, my teammate, and that’s always difficult but if we both shoot our best and perform as well as I know we can then whatever happens, happens.”