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Sunday, May 24, 2009

8:03 AM

Commonwealth Championships - Singapore Continue to Dominate in the Singles Events

Singapore dominated the Men's and Women's Team at the Commonwealth Championships in Glasgow, clinching both gold medals. Yesterday, the players were once again in fine form.

Gao Ning, the No. 1 Seed and Yang Zi seeded no.2, recorded respective wins over England's Danny Reed and Canada's André Ho. Cai Xiao Li continued his good form shown in the team event to beat Canada's Xavier Therien.

In the Women's Singles event, only Isabelle Li suffered defeat; the 14 year old rising defensive star was beaten by the impressive Malaysian, Ng Sock Khim; the one player who had posed a threat to Singapore in the Women's Team event by extending Wang Yue Gu, the full five games distance. Earlier on, Li who is the only female Singaporean to play in the qualifying round, top the group to qualify for the Main Draw.

In the opening round of the Women's Singles competition there were no such troubles for Wang Yue Gu, seeded no.1, she beat Canada's Stephanie Yuen in four straight games. She won 11-5, 11-5, 11-3, 11-5.

Success in style for Wang Yue Gu and that was also the case for Sun Bei Bei (seeded no.2), Yu Meng Yu (seeded no.3) and Sim Kai Xin Zena.

Sen Bei Bei defeated Guernsey's Dawn Morgan, Yu Meng Yu overcame New Zealand's Sara Ho, whilst Zena Sim ended the hopes of New Zealand's Sun Yang. Sun Bei Bei won 11-3, 11-3, 11-2, 11-2, whilst colleagues Yu Meng Yu and Zena Sim succeeded 9-11, 11-9, 11-2, 11-2, 11-6 and 13-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-3 respectively.

Success for Singapore in both the Men's and Women's Singles events and also in the Mixed Doubles but there was a blip, caused by a determined Indian partnership.

Gao Ning and Sun Bei Bei booked their semi-final place without ever being seriously threatened as did Yang Zi and Wang Yue Gu. Seeded no.1 Gao Ning/Sun Bei Bei recorded a quarter-final victory over England's Paul Drinkhall/Joanna Parker, whilst Yang Zi/Wang Yue Gu, the defending champions and no.2 seeds, also broke English hearts. They beat Darius Knight/Kelly Sibley.

In the semi-finals, Gao Ning/Sun Bei Bei meet Australia's William Henzell/ Miao Miao, the no.3 seeds, who accounted for Malaysia's Muhammed Ibrahim/Beh Lee Wei in the quarter-finals; whilst Yang Zi/Wang Yu Gue meet India's Amalraj Anthony/Madhurika Patkhar.

The Indians proved the surprise package of the event. In round two they defeated fourth seeded, Cai Xiao Li/Yu Meng Yu before ousting compatriot's Sharath Kamal Achanta/Shamini Kumaresan to book their place in the semi-finals and thus be assured of a medal.

The Men's and Women's Doubles Event will also begin today.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

8:03 AM

Commonwealth Championships - Singapore Continue to Dominate in the Singles Events