World champion Will Bayley made the perfect start to his bid to regain the men’s class 7 singles Paralympic title he won in Rio 2016, winning his last 16 match in straight sets in session one on day 5 of the table tennis events in Paris. In men’s class 6 both Paul Karabardak and Martin Perry went out after losing to the World number one and the reigning Paralympic champion respectively.

Bayley was impressive in beating former Paralympic champion Stephane Messi. He had not lost to the Frenchman since 2011, but the pair have had some tough matches and Bayley could not have made a better start, winning the first set 11-2. He took the second 11-5 and the third 11-6 to secure a 3-0 win.

“I’m unbelievably happy,” said Bayley. “I was doing the things that I find difficult really easily today like spinning down the line, my serve was good, my receive was really good. Sometimes I struggle with his serves, and I felt like I could do a lot of things today. I could touch the ball really well and I was varying everything. That’s when I’m playing my best and I was really enjoying it.

“From the very first point I was right on it – it was just one of those games. I’ve had some real battles against him – even at the World Championships recently it was 9/9/9 and every set was an absolute scrap. I was hitting the ball so well and I could tell after the first few balls, and I think he could tell as well and that changed it. I think I just felt really good, and he realised that it is difficult to stay with me if I’m playing like that really.”

With schools returning today in France the crowd for the morning session was slightly less raucous and a large contingent from Brighton table tennis club made their presence felt with chants of ‘Let’s go Bayley, Let’s go’.

“To come to France and to feel like the home player was crazy really,” said Bayley. “I think it made a difference that it was Monday morning and not a Sunday, but it is so nice to have them here because it gives you that bit of support. That is why you play. There are a lot of disabled players that are club players at Brighton and it’s part of the reason why I’m playing – I want to inspire them. It sounds cheesy but it’s true. You want to do the best you can do for them as well because they are looking on thinking they want to be here one day and that is special.”

Bayley will play Bjoern Schnake in the quarterfinal tomorrow after the German World number 12 was a surprise 3-0 winner against Liao Keli from China.

Karabardak faced the World number one Peter Rosenmeier and the two-time former World and Paralympic champion from Denmark made a flying start, taking the first set 11-5. Karabardak came back fighting in the second and led 9-5 before eventually losing it 12-10 and Rosenmeier took the third 11-6 and the match 3-0.

The scoreline did not reflect the quality of play from both players and Karabardak was unlucky to come up against Rosenmeier at the very top of his game.

“I think I played possibly as well as I could have today,” said the Welshman. “Maybe one or two decisions tactically cost me but apart from him getting a quick start I think it was pretty tight. Maybe if I could have snuck that second set it would have been more of a game but he’s a fantastic player – he is probably one of the best class 6’s of all time not just of this era and I think he could go a long way (in this tournament). I’m just really pleased to have battled the way I did and given a good performance. I’m proud of that and I think I did well today.”

Karabardak will take a bronze medal from the class 14 men’s doubles back to Wales and has once again represented his country with distinction at his fifth Paralympic Games.

“I’m over the moon with the bronze medal in the doubles,” he said. “I think it was superb and that was the aim – to get a medal in the doubles and have the opportunity to battle for a medal in the singles where I knew I had a chance, but it just wasn’t to be.”

After coming so close to taking a doubles medal with Will Bayley, Perry was also unlucky to be drawn against the reigning Paralympic champion Ian Seidenfeld. The American plays with an extension to his bat to help him receive serve and takes it on and off between and sometimes during points and in the first two sets Perry struggled to get into the match, losing both 11-5. He fought back well in the third and led 8-5 but Seidenfeld levelled and went on to take the third set 11-9 and the match 3-0.

“Obviously I’ve got to give him credit,” said Perry, “he is the reigning champion from Tokyo so I knew it was going to be a tough draw, but I just couldn’t get any rhythm because the game was so stop-start with the constant putting on and taking off of the attachment that helps him receive serve. It is so slow and bit-by-bit and it really disrupts my rhythm to the game and I felt that I couldn’t really do what I wanted to do.

“Then to lose the third set from 8-5 up was really disappointing because obviously I was in a commanding position and I missed what I felt were two easy balls which could have put me in with a chance of taking that set. But he is the reigning champion so it was always going to be a difficult match. It wouldn’t surprise me if he goes on and medals because he’s done it before.”

Perry can also be proud of the way he has performed at his first Paralympic Games.

“This has been the highlight of my career and up there with one of the best experiences of my life,” he said. “To come to France where my family and friends and supporters could come along because it’s only down the road from back home is amazing. This whole experience has been everything I’ve wanted it to be and more despite the results – obviously they would have been the cherry on top.

“The whole experience and privilege of playing at a Paralympics and representing your country at the highest level is an honour that I’ll never forget but it wouldn’t be possible without everyone back home playing the National Lottery and allowing me to go and not only chase my dreams but fulfil them. I can now say I am a Paralympian and I always will be and that’s something that fills me with so much pride and joy. That wouldn’t have been possible without the people back home supporting me and I want to say thank you to each and every one of them – not just my friends and family but everyone that plays the National Lottery – a massive heartfelt thank you.”

Photographs by Table Tennis England’s Official Photographer, Michael Loveder.