Douglas turns on the style

TABLE TENNIS

Desmond Douglas's comeback for England after a five-year absence was completed by a 21-6, 21-12 win over Gerard Bakker which led his country to victory over the Netherlands in the World Championships yesterday, writes James Leigh.

England's 3-0 success helped the men to finish 13th at Tianjin, China, and Douglas's win, which began the match, came against an opponent who had beaten him in the European League six years ago.

Douglas, 39, thus completed his comeback tournament with his third scalp. It was followed by wins for Carl Prean and Alan Cooke which gave England their fourth victory in 10 outings in a campaign that earlier saw them retain their status in the top category of the World Championships. It also keeps them with a slight chance of reaching the World Team Cup at Atlanta in August, if there are withdrawals from that competition.

Chen Xinhua was rested and spent the day watching his former colleagues from China beat the holders, Sweden, 3-2 in the final.