Sibley impresses but England slip to another defeat

KELLY Sibley was the only player to stand out as England slipped to a defeat at the hands of Croatia at the World Team Table Tennis Championships in Moscow.

SOLID: Karen Sibley recorded an impressive win over higher ranked opposition at the World Team Table Tennis Championships

Sibley, the world number 165, claimed the scalp of former European youth champion Cornelia Vaida,  ranked 75 players above her, but was the only English player to win.

However, she insists the team - who were promoted to the top tier of world table tennis in 2008 - can still prove their doubters wrong even after two defeats in two matches and a clash with table tennis powerhouse China to come.

“After our promotion to the top group a lot of people have said that we are probably going to go straight back down,” she said.

“But we are confident we can prove them wrong and stay in the group. 

"We know it is going to be tough because every person we play against will be above us in the world rankings. Still, we are confident we can do it.

“Those are the players that we need to be testing ourselves against with London 2012 in mind so it is going to be a good test.

“I know that it is going to be difficult but I feel ready for it because I feel like I am in good form.”

England’s men had a mixed day - beating Thailand without losing a match but going down to the more experienced Slovakian team later in the day.

England’s women now face Poland before their clash with China while the men will conclude their group matches against Iran.