Bayley was run close in the final and had to save numerous set points, and the 25-year-old was delighted to take the gold despite not quite capturing his finest form in Laško.

"I didn't play my best but I think I played tactically really well today, as he's a very good player and he's got very good shots." he said.

"To be able to win when I'm not playing well is really important so I'm really pleased."

The world number one in his class spoke of how his growing experience is proving to be vital to his achievements in the sport.

"I don't think I would have won that match a year ago," he admitted.

"I have to draw on the belief that I've beaten these players and I can take confidence from coming through two close matches when I'm not playing well."

There was also success for Britain elsewhere as eight of their nine-man team reached the quarter-finals, with Rob Davies and Kim Daybell going on to take bronze medals in their respective events.

Welshman Davies faced Paralympic champion Holger Nikelis in the semi-final in his first tournament since London 2012, but despite winning the first set, the German came back to win the next three to secure his place in the final.

"I'm quite pleased with the whole match but a bit frustrated," said Davies following the semi-final defeat.

"There was only two points difference in every set that he won but to get to the semi-final and to be so close to the Paralympic champion in my first tournament back I've got be quite happy."

Britain's Will Bayley scored his second gold medal of 2013 at the Slovenian Open in Laško

The 20-year-old Daybell ground out a tough victory against Karim Boumedouha of France against all the odds to claim the bronze medal.

The British player saved a match point in the fourth set and a further four match points in the fifth and deciding set, but eventually came out victorious with a score of 14-12.

"It wasn't my best performance," he said.

"It was late on in the evening and I was a bit sluggish so it was all about grit and grinding the game out.

"My coach said if you can win when you are not playing well then you can definitely win when you are playing well so I've got to take the positives from it."

"Overall it's been good, but there are still lots of things I can work on.

"I'm pleased to get a medal - it's my first singles medal for a while so it's always nice."

Nine players from the GB Performance squad will compete in the team events.

The medals for the team competition will be decided on Saturday (May 11)

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