Paul Drinkhall picked up one of the most impressive victories of his career as he dismantled world No 7 Lin Gaoyuan of China at the WTT Contender Lasko event.

Drinkhall sunk the top seed in four games – winning the first and then taking games three and four after his opponent had levelled the match.

The English No 2 led the fourth 9-5 and survived a tense few points as Lin closed to 9-8, but the next two points went his way to complete a momentous win.

Afterwards, he said: “It was a good, balanced performance. I played well, kept calm and kept up a good level.

“I hadn’t been playing my best in the last few matches, but I’ve come through them and I’ve felt good in training and been hitting the ball well, so I knew it’s there.

“I felt okay going in and from the beginning I felt comfortable with his style and it suited me well, so it was just a case of playing as I can and not getting too carried away, but not being too safe either and taking it into my own hands.

“Ranking-wise, it’s up there with the biggest wins – I think Ovtcharov was a bit higher when I beat him. To beat the No 1 seed and with him being No 7 in the world and a Chinese player, it’s got to be up there.”

Drinkhall will face world No 45 Kirill Gerassimenko of Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals tomorrow.

Result

Men’s Singles
Round of 16
Paul Drinkhall bt Lin Gaoyuan (CHN) 3-1 (11-7, 8-11, 11-7, 11-8)