Competing in class 1, in the group stage she finished in second position in the women’s singles and in the same spot in the women’s doubles.

In the women’s singles she completed the day behind England’s Jan Fuller but ahead of Chile’s Digna Lopez-Abarca and Slovenia’s Danica Kocbek.

“I’ve been looking forward to playing Margie. She is such a great player, and we had a lot of fun playing. I was hoping I could at least win one set, but it wasn’t my day today. But after all, if more important to have fun than winning.” Digna Lopez-Abarca

Similarly in the women’s doubles, partnering Denmark’s Elisabeth Ildal it was group runners up spot; the duo finished next in line to Germany’s Silke Kind and Marita Siegel; third place went to Slovenia’s Danica Kocbek and Biserka Muszec. Poland’s Iwona Salak and Ewa Kerntopf concluded matters in fourth position.

“Definitely looking to protect my title from New York. I have been training hard for this competition and I could feel the energy going up and my body just flows when playing.” Margie Alley

Good form from Elisabeth Ildal; it was the same from her compatriot, Lars Bo Kaspersen.

Similarly competing in class 1, in both the men’s singles and partnering colleague Jesper Jerslund in the men’s doubles, it was group second place in both events.

He summed up the value of the tournament perfectly.There are five events – men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles – in each event, except for women’s doubles which has two, there are three classes organised as per a player’s level of disability.

In all events, players finishing in first and second positions in each events advance to the main draw, all remaining players to the main draw.

• 2021 Parkinson’s World Championships – Thursday 9th September: Full Results