Paul Drinkhall has been praised by the influential Dane who has nurtured him through the junior ranks following the England No 1's biggest win of a fledgling senior career.
19-year-old Drinkhall, one of the Daily Telegraph’s 10 to follow for 2012, stepped up to senior level in January and showed his potential when he lifted the under-21 title at the China Open last weekend. Such is China’s admiration for the 19-year-old that he was immediately signed up to play for top team Fujin in the Chinese League’s First Division – a move coach Steen Hansen says is hardly surprising.
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On Drinkhall’s win after beating No 1 seed Taipei's Hung-Chieh Chiang 4-3, Hansen said: “It was a great result and he needed it to boost his confidence. He used his ability and played like he can play. Everything fell right for him.
“It’s not a question about technique or tactics as he has that in abundance. It is always a mental battle but he seems to be crossing that hurdle.
“He is playing in the Chinese style and they know that they have an exceptional talent on their hands.
“It is a great experience for him and he has great responsibility on his shoulders now. He is not just playing for himself but also for his future playing in China’s elite league.”
Drinkhall plays for Fujin next week in a series of team matches over four days. He will then travel back to the UK in June, train at the National performance centre in August before returning to China in August.
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