Imani Phillips claimed silver and bronze medals in the open division at the Baotou International Pickleball Invitational.

Phillips lost 11-2, 3-11, 5-11 to American Alia Brown in the final to clinch silver in the women’s singles. She teamed up with Phạm Xuan Trung Kien, from Vietnam, to defeat the Chinese duo of Zhang Lina and Chang Bin 15-3 to seal bronze in the mixed doubles.

“It was amazing to win two medals in this tournament,” Phillips said.

“I am definitely seeing growth in my game and improvement in my contact point. I am happy with the results. There’s a part of me that felt how normal it was to be in the semi-finals and the medal matches, but then disappointed that I didn’t get the gold.

“But I then smile again because I realise how quickly it can become normal to play in the medal matches and I haven’t played a lot of medal matches this year.”

Phillips, who headed to China on the back of a strong display at the Petrolimex Saigon Cup in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where she reached the semi-finals, felt that she brought the spark to her play.

“I’ve definitely had my most success in China thus far,” the 24-year-old said.

“In the tournament, I was able to bring my intensity to the court and sometimes I think for me as an athlete intensity equals focus.

“I was incredibly focused for all of those matches and I’m really proud of the way I played.”