Burnley’s Fliss Pickard was defiant in defeat after losing to Australia’s Qian Yang in the semi-finals of the table tennis women’s singles classes 8-10 at the Commonwealth Games.

Pickard was beaten 3-0 (11-4, 11-1, 11-3) by Yang in Birmingham but was keen to take the positives from her performance.

Pickard, who has cerebral palsy, usually competes in the class 6 category but with their being no Commonwealth event for class 6, was competing in the 8-10 category.

And the 28-year-old refused to look back to negatively on how she performed at the NEC.

“It was always going to be tough but I’ve entered this tournament, put myself out there and I’ve got to be ready for anything,” reflected Pickard. 

“I think regardless of the score I’ve shown a good performance. I don’t think the score reflected how I played.”

This summer, Team England, supported by funding raised by National Lottery players, comprises of over 400 athletes, all vying for medal success.

Pickard has little time to feel sorry for herself, as she competes for a bronze medal against Nigeria’s Faith Obazuaye at 4.45pm on Saturday.

And Pickard insists she will leave nothing behind as she looks to take home a medal.

“I really want to get that medal, so we go again,” she added. “Stick to processes and throw everything at it.”

There was further English disappointment in the para table tennis for Ross Wilson and Sue Bailey, who both lost in their semi-finals and now fight for bronze in the men's and women's singles classes 3-5 on Saturday.

However, there was success for Jack Hunter-Spivey who will go for gold at 7pm against Nasiru Sule following his 3-0 (11-4, 13-11, 11-9) victory over Isau Okungule.

But the Liverpudlian insists there is no pressure on him anymore.

"I’m just relishing the opportunity," he said. "I don’t have to take it too seriously.

"Just enjoy the moment, as that’s what it’s all about. There’s worse jobs in the world to be doing – if we don’t enjoy it, what are we doing it for?

"I’m just going to go out there, execute the plan that we have, and hopefully get the W."

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