Commonwealth Games 2022: Minster's Ross Wilson beats Alabi Olabiyi Olufemi to reach class 8-10 para table tennis semi-finals

Minster's Ross Wilson made it through to Friday's men's class 8-10 para table tennis semi-finals - and admitted he is yet to hit top gear.

Defending champion Wilson sealed a last-four spot clash with doubles partner Joshua Stacey after victory against Asad Hussain Syed, the 41-year-old class 9 player from Canada, but says he is still struggling to find his best form.

Not helped by a walkover in his first match, after opponent Alabi Olabiyi Olufemi from Nigeria, the 49-year-old class 10 African champion and former Paralympic team gold medallist, failed to appear, Wilson then lost to Australia's Ma Lin - meaning the pressure was on against Syed.

Wilson rose to the occasion, winning 3-0, but thinks there's plenty of room for improvement.

“I’m not really happy with the performance today,” he said, “but I toughed it out and got through it and I’m into the semi-finals so I’m proud of myself for just sticking with it and believing in myself and hopefully I can perform a bit better in the next rounds.

"I’m not feeling the pressure of defending my title - I just don’t think I’m playing very well at the moment but I am trying to get my confidence into a good place and today will help a bit to know that I can do that.

"I’ll keep going and keep trying to do what I can do. I think now that it doesn’t matter who I play in the semi-finals as the other players are all really strong.

"All the matches are 50/50 and whoever has it on the day will bring it home. I’m loving competing here - the home crowds are amazing and to have so many people come to watch me and support me makes me really proud.”