Great Britain's Paul Drinkhall has admitted that he played the best table tennis of his life to reach the final of the Russian Open.

Drinkhall, the number 21 seed, had overcome three of the top six players in the competition before losing out to Koki Niwa, but the North-East player was delighted with his performances throughout the event.

The 24-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "It's probably the tournament of my life and the best table tennis that I've ever played.

"I'm very happy with the way I've played, but slightly disappointed with the final. I've played him before and always had difficulty with his serves."

Drinkhall was victorious at the Spanish Open in April earlier this year.