The Chinese were victorious in four semi-finals, but did not have things all their own way as Spain caused the biggest upset of the day.

In the men’s Team - Class 6-8 event, the Spanish pulled off a big surprise by seeing off the Chinese defending champions 3-1 in the quarter-finals and then beat Germany 3-0 to set up a final against Poland, who beat Great Britain 3-2.

Alvaro Valera was Spain’s key performer, with the Individual - Class 6 silver medallist demonstrating his superb movement and spin variation in both victories.

He said: ‘Obviously we are thrilled, very excited. We've achieved our dream of reaching the final. I'll wait until after I have won gold to have some English tea to celebrate.’

We've achieved our dream of reaching the final. I'll wait until after I have won gold to have some English tea to celebrate.

Alvaro Valera

Another surprise came in the women's Team - Class 6-10 as two-time silver medallists Poland lost 3-2 to Turkey in the semi-finals.

With the three-time Individual - Class 10 gold medallist Natalia Partyka in their line-up, the Poles were expected to challenge for gold. But despite the 23-year-old winning both her matches, that was not enough as the duo of Neslihan Kavas and 16-year-old Umran Ertis inspired Turkey to a place in the final against China, who beat France 3-0.

The French were defending Paralympic champions in the men’s Team - Class 3 but came unstuck in a 3-0 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals, who also face the Chinese in the final after they beat the Republic of Korea by the same score.

In the semi-finals of the women’s Team - Class 1-3, the Republic of Korea and China both enjoyed comfortable 3-0 wins and now square off in the final.

In the men’s Class 4-5 there was further joy for the Republic of Korea, who beat Chinese Taipei 3-0, while the clash between China and France was locked at 2-2 and had to be decided in the doubles match, which went to a thrilling fifth set and was won by the Chinese pair of Zhang Yan and Cao Ningning.

The other semi-finals came in the men’s Class 1-2 competition, where defending champions Slovakia set up a final with France after seeing off Austria 3-0.

Elsewhere, there were wins for Spain, Poland, Ukraine and China in the quarter-finals of the men’s Team - Class 9-10 competition.