Tough going for King in Austria

The 17-year-old from Hastings, who is a member of the Cranbrook-based Weald Table Tennis Club and trains at the Grantham Table Tennis Academy, represented England in the team event in Schwechat, near Vienna.

King was not fielded in England’s first two girls’ team matches, in which they beat San Marino 3-0, but surprisingly lost 1-3 to Switzerland.

She was nervous in her opening outing against Finland, losing 4-11, 11-6, 2-11, 12-14 to Anna-Sifia Erkheikki, but her team notched a 3-1 success.

Although King didn’t play when England overcame Norway 3-2, she was brought back for their 3-0 triumph over Portugal, in which her singles with Joana Mota was a bit bizarre.

After looking in total collapse in losing the fourth game 1-11, she came back seemingly a different player with relaxed flowing two wing attack to cruise through the fifth and win 11-8, 11-9, 7-11, 1-11, 11-2.

King won her only singles in England’s 2-3 defeat by Turkey and her 11-6, 9-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-6 victory over Estonian no.1 Olesja Ketsko set up England for a 3-1 win in their last match to come 19th overall.