Member Associations | 1 Mar 2010

DRINKHALL leads way again at English National Championships

01/03/2010 – The international and well traveled partnership of Paul Drinkhall and Joanna Parker are the top seeds at the National Championships at the Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield on 5,6,7 March. Last year was clearly Drinkh

Last year was clearly Drinkhall’s year. The 20 year old picked up a hat trick of titles winning the men’s singles, the men’s doubles with Darius Knight and the mixed doubles with Joanna Parker.

Since then Drinkhall has moved up in the world from 124 last year to 116. No huge leap there, but life in the big time gets tougher as you near the magical 100 mark. As he did last year in removing his biggest threat Andrew Baggaley, Drinkhall will again have something major to aim for.

When he steps into the Ponds Forge ring again next month his aim will be clear to retain his singles title and if he does that it will complete a hat trick of men’s singles titles after having won previously in 2007 and 2009.

But lets not forget the talented Andrew Baggaley who won the title in 2008 and also in 2002, he’ll be eyeing up a hat trick as well. So stand by for another cracking head o head.

Joanna Parker is the current women’s title holder. Last year in a disappointing final she beat Karina Le Fevre, but missing then was former No.1 Kelly Sibley who won the title in 2008 and missed last year through injury but is now back to form.

If the seedings work out, it should be an interesting clash of styles Parker’s subtle defensive work against the all out attack of Sibley. But of course there could always be a threat from other areas. Improving players like Hannah Hicks, Emma Vickers and last years finalist Karina Le Fevre could all upset the top seeds along the way.

(by Jim BECKLEY Courtesy of ETTA)

Top ten singles seedings:

Men:

Paul Drinkhall, Darius Knight, Daniel Reed, Chris Doran, Andrew Baggaley, Liam Pitchford, Gavin Evans, Tim Yarnall, Damien Nicholls, Mathew Ware.

Women:

Joanna Parker, Kelly Sibley, Hannah Hicks, Karina Le Fevre, Emma Vickers, Lindsey Reynolds, Sanja Clements, Karen Shepherd, Mary Fuller.