Palmer Bows Out With Double Commonwealth Games Gold For Australia
A fairy-tale climax to David
Palmer's comeback appearance in the 2014 Commonwealth Games
in Scotland saw the illustrious Australian veteran win two gold
medals on the final day of Squash action at the Scotstoun
Sports Campus in Glasgow.
The 38-year-old former world number
one and world champion retired from the international circuit three
years ago. But, despite having a then record six Games medals to his
credit over four events since 1998, Palmer was looking for a first
ever gold.
Minutes after winning gold in the
mixed doubles final with Rachael Grinham on the spectacular
all-glass showcourt surrounded by a capacity finals day crowd in
excess of 2,000, Palmer was back on the court with world No20
Cameron Pilley to do battle with English pair Adrian Grant
and Nick Matthew, the defending champions eager to maintain
England's 16-year grip on the men's doubles gold medal.
Grinham & Palmer beat England's
Alison Waters & Peter Barker 11-8, 11-10 - then recovered
from losing the first game in the men's final to beat Matthew &
Grant, from 1-4 down in the decider, 10-11, 11-7, 11-9 in a mighty
80 minutes.
The second triumph takes Palmer's
total Games medal haul to eight - a new record.
"I think that's it now," said Palmer
when asked if he might compete in the 2018 Games in his homeland. "I
hope I will be at the Gold Coast Games - not as player, but
watching!
"I've achieved what I wanted to -
it's a dream come true.
"Before we arrived, I thought I had a
better chance in the mixed with Rachael as we read each other's
games well and her variation and style suits my game," explained
US-based Palmer.
"The men's was always going to be
tough as England have dominated the event since the beginning and
Nick and Adrian are so strong - we knew it would be a huge effort to
beat them.
"We were trying to hang in there in
the third game, and I dropped off the pace a bit - but Pilley really
stepped up and hit some incredible shots.
"It was good that we got off 2/0 in
the mixed - especially as they really got off to a good start in the
second and were really focussed.
"It was better to keep going," said
Palmer when asked about having to play the two matches back-to-back.
"I had a quick shower after the first match to freshen up.
"I knew the schedule would be tough
but I didn't play the singles - I enjoyed the first week watching
the matches - Nick and James's singles final was a great match.
"It probably was the toughest day of
my life - especially at 38 - but in the end I got over the line.
"This is great for me personally -
but I hope it will also help Squash Australia. Winning two golds
should help the funding," concluded the double gold medallist.
Matthew, the world No2, said after
the match: "I thought the good start in the final game was going to
carry us through but you can second-guess every shot in doubles.
"We did ourselves proud, we put our
game plan into practice - but they pulled off two great shots to
win.
"It's been amazing here right from
the word go. It's the best Team England I've ever been part of - the
spirit of the team has been fantastic. The fact that I carried the
flag at the Opening Ceremony still gives me goose-bumps - it was a
pity not to end on a high. Next week will probably be a bit of a
comedown.
"I think the doubles came out well -
with a lot more credit than it had in Delhi. Doubles is now on a
high after that."
Team-mate Grant added: "Credit where
it's due to the Australians, they fought hard and we fought hard -
that's what the crowd wanted to see. Everyone was excited to see the
doubles."
After her gold medal success in the
mixed final - a win which takes her all-time medal tally to seven -
Grinham said: "Doubles is so different - you can't relax for a
minute or it'll get away from you really quickly.
"I think I played really well
considering. They put us under a lot of pressure.
"David and I have played together so
much - we've even won British Opens together! We're a bit older than
the others - but to finally get this gold together is quite special
for us," added the 37-year-old Queenslander.
Barker and Waters led 9-5 in the
second game of the mixed final and were unable to convert three
game-balls. "We are disappointed to not convert that lead in the
second game," said Londoner Barker. "We played well throughout but
in the first game they just hit some unbelievable winners.
"We've got no complaints. I actually
think we played the best we've played all week but they were just
better. I felt it was a really good final - how doubles should be
played!"
Waters added: "The Games have been
absolutely brilliant, we have had a lot of success as Team England
and I have loved playing here."
8-11, 11-9, 11-8 in a repeat of
the 2010 final.
"We won from a game down last time,"
said Brown. "I really wanted to come away with a medal here."
Pilley added: "We were confident
going into the second. I am so happy."
The other bronze match saw England
pair 11-9, 11-7. It was a bitter blow for the Scots -
massively supported by the vociferous crowd - who also finished in
fourth place in Delhi.
"We are absolutely gutted," said
Leitch. "We came here for a medal."
A jubilant Selby, now with a first
Commonwealth Games medal to his credit, said: "It's the biggest two
weeks of my career - it's what I wanted, a Commonwealth Games medal.
This is our Olympics.
"It's a pleasure to share it with
James - we've both put in a lot of hard work for this. We picked
ourselves up from yesterday when we were punished."
Chinappa & Pallikal Grab Historic Commonwealth
Games Gold For India
A second upset in 24 hours saw fifth seeds Joshana
Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal overcome English favourites
Jenny Duncalf & Laura Massaro in today's Women's Doubles
final in Glasgow to ensure that India's first ever
Commonwealth Games Squash medal is GOLD.
The underdogs led throughout the first game on the
all-glass showcourt at the Scotstoun Sports Campus, winning
11-6. But the top seeds struck back in the second - Massaro, the
world No2 and silver medallist in the singles competition, and
Duncalf, ranked 13 in the world, soon built up a 7-2 lead.
But Chinappa and Pallikal, both based in Chennai,
immediately regained the upper-hand - reeling off nine of the next
10 points to claim a sensational 11-6, 11-8 victory after 28
minutes.
"We just didn't want to let go - if it had gone to
one-all, the third would have been very tough," said 22-year-old
Pallikal, ranked a career-high 10 in the world.
"We have come so far - we didn't want to settle for
silver.
"This is not just a great win for us, but for Indian
Squash."
Indian team coach Major Maniam stated that the
pair played "awesome squash".
"I think this win will take squash to another level
in India - the sport won't just be followed by enthusiasts, but will
now grab the attention of the general public."
The squash success marks India's 14th gold medal of
the Glasgow 2014 Games.
"Commonwealth Games gold medals are important in
India - and squash is now a gold medal sport," added Maniam.
When asked what makes Pallikal and Chinappa such a
strong pair, Maniam continued: "They are both equally strong - there
isn't a weak link there. We have been targeting the weaker of the
two players in our matches, but our two are equally balanced.
"Both have their strengths - Dipika has a fantastic
deceptive trickle boast.
"They played awesome squash today - the whole country
will be really proud of them.
"I have been to a number of Commonwealth Games - but
this is my first medal."
England took bronze when third seeds Emma Beddoes
& Alison Waters upset Australians Kasey Brown &
Rachael Grinham, the No2 seeds, 11-3, 11-5.
"We probably didn't play the way we can play in
yesterday's semis - so to come back today and play the best we've
ever played together is a real testament to us as a partnership,"
said Beddoes after winning the first Games medal of her career.
"It's the pinnacle of my career. To come away with a
medal means everything to me."
Waters also enjoyed one of the biggest days of her
life, the bronze medal coming just a couple of hours after she and
fellow Londoner Peter Barker clinched a place in the Mixed
Doubles final for the first time after despatching No2 seeds
Joelle King & Martin Knight, of New Zealand, 11-3, 11-6.
"Doubles is a very tactical game," said Barker after
the mixed win which guarantees the pair at least silver - the best
achievements for both of them. "Joelle is probably the best striker
of the ball in the women's game.
"I'm delighted for myself, but more importantly for
Al - especially after her injury last time and her disappointment in
the singles here.
"I'm very proud of my two bronzes - but this one is
for her.
"Winning in doubles is a completely different feeling
- in singles it's more relief than joy. I've known Al since she was
a little girl and we've shared the same coach for many years. I'm
absolutely delighted to be able to help her achieve it here."
But arguably the biggest hero of the day was David
Palmer, the former world number one from Australia who was lured
out of retirement to compete in the Games for a record-equalling
fifth time.
The 38-year-old from New South Wales partnered
Rachael Grinham through to victory in the Mixed Doubles
semi-finals, and a few hours later secured a place in the Men's
Doubles final.
Palmer and Grinham claimed their places in the squash
history books after upsetting fellow Aussies Kasey Brown &
Cameron Pilley, the top seeds and defending champions, 11-7,
11-4 - a win which guarantees both of them a record seventh
Commonwealth Games medal.
"Wow! Is that right - nobody else has more than six?"
said Grinham on hearing the news.
"I'm trying not to think about medals," said Palmer.
"It would have been nice if that could have been the final.
"I thought we performed well," continued the
illustrious Aussie, winner of four British Open and two World
Championship titles. "Rachael dominated the forehand side, though
Kasey returned so many balls. We were trying to keep it away from
Cam - his power is unreal."
Pilley's "unreal power" worked a treat for Palmer
later when the pair combined to see off England's third seeds
Daryl Selby & James Willstrop 11-4, 11-4 in the men's
semis.
The men's triumph extends Palmer's collection of
Games medals to a new record EIGHT - but his single-minded aim is
gold, which would be a first.
"It's been a perfect day," conceded Palmer. "I just
wanted to win both matches - but to do so 2/0 in both cases, in
reasonably short time, is a perfect set up.
"It was critical we didn't get drawn into long
matches."
Pilley's place in the men's final compensated for his
loss in the mixed semi. "I was disappointed with today's earlier
result, but very happy to make the men's final," said Pilley, the
world No20.
On his partner Palmer, Pilley added: "He's pretty
exceptional. He's made so many major finals and won so many major
titles. He brings a steadiness to us."
Second seeds Palmer and Pilley will face favourites
Adrian Grant & Nick Matthew in Sunday's final after
the English pair, winners of gold in Delhi, subdued the packed and
partisan Scottish crowd by beating Scots Alan Clyne &
Harry Leitch 11-7, 11-2.
"We've been under the radar here but we're quietly
confident," said Londoner Grant. "There's been a lot of talk about
the other pairings but we've just been getting on with our own job.
"This is the pinnacle for us," added the left-hander
when asked if it was an advantage just playing the one event. "I had
to think about what I really want to get out of this - I decided I
would rather put all my eggs in one basket and try to get gold in
this."
Matthew and Grant also beat the Scots, widely
considered a 'specialist doubles pairing', at the same stage in
Delhi.
"A lot of people talk about 'doubles specialists',
but I think today we showed that you can play good squash and win,"
said the world No2 from Sheffield.
Matthew is bidding to equal compatriot Peter Nicol's
four Commonwealth Games gold medal record - also two in the singles
and two in the men's doubles.
Furthermore, he and Grant will be keen to extend
England's grip on the men's doubles title since 1998, the year that
squash made its debut in the Games.
Men's Doubles final line-up:
[1] Adrian Grant & Nick Matthew (ENG) v [2] David
Palmer & Cameron Pilley (AUS)
Third place play-off:
[4] Alan Clyne & Harry Leitch (SCO) v [3] Daryl
Selby & James Willstrop (ENG)
Mixed Doubles final line-up:
[3] Rachael Grinham & David Palmer (AUS) v [4]
Alison Waters & Peter Barker (ENG)
Third place play-off:
[1] Kasey Brown & Cameron Pilley (AUS) v [2] Joelle
King & Martin Knight (NZL)
Men's Doubles semi-finals:
[1] Adrian Grant & Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [4] Alan
Clyne & Harry Leitch (SCO) 11-7, 11-2 (46m)
[2] David Palmer & Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [3]
Daryl Selby & James Willstrop (ENG) 11-4, 11-4 (32m)
Mixed Doubles semi-finals:
[3] Rachael Grinham & David Palmer (AUS) bt [1]
Kasey Brown & Cameron Pilley (AUS) 11-7, 11-4 (29m)
[4] Alison Waters & Peter Barker (ENG) bt [2]
Joelle King & Martin Knight (NZL) 11-3, 11-6 (35m)
Click on Images for Larger View
25 ft wide doubles courts (four feet wider than for
singles) - incorporating, for the first time at the Games, a lower,
13-inch, 'tin'
Games Mascot 'Clyde'
Click
on Images for Larger View
Joshana Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal overcome English favourites Jenny
Duncalf & Laura Massaro
David Palmer and Rachael Grinham claimed their places in the squash
history books after upsetting fellow Aussies Kasey Brown & Cameron
Pilley
Adrian Grant
& Nick Matthew in Sunday's final after the English pair, winners of
gold in Delhi, subdued the packed and partisan Scottish crowd by
beating Scots Alan Clyne & Harry
Leitch
Peter Barker clinched a place in the Mixed Doubles final for the
first time after despatching No2 seeds Joelle King & Martin Knight,
of New Zealand Pilley's "unreal power" worked a treat for
Palmer later when the pair combined to see off England's third seeds
Daryl Selby & James Willstrop
England's Emma Beddoes & Alison Waters upset Australians Kasey Brown
& Rachael Grinham
Womens Doubles Podium
Chinappa
& Pallikal Guarantee India's First Commonwealth Games Medal
A dramatic upset by Joshana Chinappa &
Dipika Pallikal over second-seeded Australian pair Kasey
Brown & Rachael Grinham in Friday's Women's Doubles
semi-finals at Glasgow 2014 has guaranteed India its
first ever Commonwealth Games Squash medal.
The fifth-seeded Indians recovered from a second game
fight-back on the all-glass showcourt at the Scotstoun Sports
Campus in Glasgow to win 11-9, 7-11, 11-4 in 50 minutes.
"It's historic that we've won a medal but we won't be
satisfied until we get the gold medal," said Pallikal, the
22-year-old from Chennai who was taken ill on the eve of the 2010
Games in Delhi and unable to make her eagerly-anticipated
Commonwealth debut on home soil.
Underdogs Chinappa and Pallikal will face top-seeded
English pair Jenny Duncalf & Laura Massaro in
Saturday's final.
"Every match is difficult but we have come this far
and don't want to give up," continued Pallikal, ranked 10 in the
world. "The English girls are number one but anything can happen in
doubles."
Chinappa explained the bond between the two: "Last
Commonwealth Games, Dipika was sick and we had a really good chance.
This time we were confident nothing would happen - we were fit and
well and both of us were doing our respective training.
"We knew we would cause some upsets and it is
fantastic for our Squash to finally get that first medal," added the
27-year-old world No21. "Hopefully the government will help us more
and promote the game more.
"The gold medal in any discipline is a fantastic
achievement. This is our Olympics."
Duncalf and Massaro overcame compatriots Emma
Beddoes & Alison Waters 11-7, 11-8 to earn their place in
the final.
On what he described as a "critical day", Australia's
David Palmer survived two tough battles to keep alive his
hopes of a first ever Games gold medal - and of extending his shared
six-medal record since his debut in 1998.
The 38-year-old from New South Wales, nicknamed 'The
Marine', first partnered Rachael Grinham to an 11-6, 11-9
Mixed Doubles win over Indians Dipika Pallikal & Saurav
Ghosal - then, less than an hour later, returned to the
spectacular showcourt with fellow New South Welshman Cameron
Pilley to beat local heroes Stuart Crawford & Greg
Lobban 11-9, 11-5 in the Men's Doubles quarter-finals.
The atmosphere in the packed arena was something to
behold - a sell-out crowd (in excess of 2,000) of partisan Scots
cheering and stamping their feet in support of underdogs Crawford &
Lobban, the 8th seeds who upset the seventh seeds to secure their
place in the quarters.
It was neck and neck throughout the first game before
the second seeded Aussies pulled away from 9-all.
After the earlier mixed quarter-final victory, Palmer
said: "We're just happy to get through - we knew it was going to be
tough, it was one of the hardest quarter-finals.
"Dipika's very strong on the forehand and Saurav's
one of the best movers in the game. This is a critical day.
"Rachael has great touch down the middle of the court
- her deception down the middle really worked."
Grinham added: "Every time we get on this court it's
a great day. Each time I come into this arena, I get goose-bumps -
it's the best atmosphere I've ever played in.
"Doubles? I'm really loving it!"
Palmer's men's doubles partner Cameron Pilley
is also still in line for double gold. He and Kasey Brown,
winners of the mixed gold medal in Delhi, eased in to the semis
following an 11-1, 11-8 win over New Zealanders Amanda
Landers-Murphy & Paul Coll.
Brown, who was celebrating her 29th birthday, said:
"It's not a bad way to start your birthday. It's great in front of
all this crowd - I'm pretty happy at the moment."
Pilley added: "We both gelled together really well
then, especially in the first game. We just blew them away in the
first and they warmed up in the second. But we managed to reel off
about six points on the trot."
England retain medal hopes in all three events. Top
seeds and defending champions Adrian Grant & Nick Matthew
took their anticipated place in the men's semi-finals after beating
Welshmen Peter Creed & David Evans 11-9, 11-4.
Team-mates Daryl Selby & James Willstrop
prevailed in the other half of the draw - taken the full distance by
Kiwi underdogs Lance Beddoes & Paul Coll before
winning 11-8, 6-11, 11-9.
"It was a war in all respects really, it's just
really intense and we had to hang in there and be tough, try and
play our best squash and keep it together in a lot of momentum
shifts," explained singles silver medallist Willstrop.
"They could have beaten us today and that is going to
be able to happen every game, we know that.
"I can't really explain doubles, it's like a leveller
with different angles. There is a whole different environment - but
in badminton and tennis they have doubles specialists so it feels
like a whole different sport to us."
Willstrop's partner Selby admitted: "James is a very
good and calming influence on me - I wish I could have him with me
in the singles. It works well for us.
"They are both very good doubles players - they moved
us out of position a lot. Paul Coll is an excellent athlete.
"I'm really enjoying playing doubles - it's great to
be able to fight for a medal."
Beddoes said: "That's about as close a doubles game
as you can get. Doubles is just a different game but some of the top
players don't like it.
"I'll be back next time absolutely. I'm only 21 and
Paul is only 22."
The day's play ended on a high when Scotland's
Alan Clyne & Harry Leitch ousted Australians Ryan
Cuskelly & Matthew Karwalski 11-7, 11-5, with tumultuous
support from the exuberant crowd.
The action on the fourth day of 2014 Commonwealth
Games Squash Doubles was perfectly - and succinctly - summed by
event MC Alan Thatcher: "Drama, excitement, passion, skill
noisy crowds all add up to a brilliant showcase for doubles squash!"
Click
on Images for Larger View
25 ft wide doubles courts (four feet wider than for
singles) - incorporating, for the first time at the Games, a lower,
13-inch, 'tin'
Games Mascot 'Clyde'
Click
on Images for Larger View
Daryl Selby & James Willstrop (Eng) victory
overLance Beddoes & Paul Coll (Nzl)
Adrian Grant & Nick Matthew took their anticipated place in the
men's semi-finals after beating Welshmen Peter Creed & David Evans
Joelle King & Martin Knight (NZL) win against Joshana Chinappa &
Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND)
David Palmer & Rachael Grinham (Aus) win over Dipika Pallikal &
Saurav Ghosal (Ind)
David Palner & Cameron Pilley (Aus) to beat local heroes Stuart
Crawford & Greg Lobban
Joshana Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal over second-seeded Australian
pair Kasey Brown & Rachael Grinham
Alan Clyne & Harry Leitch ousted Australians Ryan Cuskelly &
Matthew Karwalski
The Doubles Court at the Scotstoun Sports Campus in Glasgow (and below)
England &
Australia Hopes Alive In All Three Doubles Events In Glasgow
Only England and Australia have medal
hopes in all three Doubles events after Thursday's action-packed
Commonwealth Games Squash schedule at the Scotstoun Sports
Campus in Glasgow.
Men's singles gold medallist Nick Matthew
leads the England attack, while key to the Australian campaign are
former world number ones David Palmer and Rachael Grinham,
both of whom are poised to extend their record haul of six medals
apiece since the sport's Games debut in Kuala Lumpur in 1998.
Matthew and Adrian Grant, winners of the Men's
Doubles gold medal in 2010 in Delhi, beat Jamaicans Christopher
Binnie & Bruce Burrowes 11-6, 11-5 to set up a
quarter-final clash with Welshmen Peter Creed & David
Evans.
Together, Palmer and Grinham eased into the Mixed
Doubles last eight after beating Tesni Evans and Creed 11-5,
11-4, while Grinham partnered Kasey Brown into the Women's
Doubles semi-finals and Palmer and Cameron Pilley made it
through to the men's quarters.
The day began well for the hosts in the men's doubles
where Scotland's second pairing Stuart Crawford & Greg
Lobban thrilled the partisan crowd by upsetting India's No7
seeds Saurav Ghosal & Harinder Pal Sandhu 11-5, 8-11,
11-9.
Inspired by this success shortly afterwards, the
country's top duo Alan Clyne & Harry Leitch, the
fourth seeds, despatched Zambians Mwinga Lengwe & Kelvin
Ndhlovu 11-4, 11-4.
Commenting on the earlier upset, Crawford said: "We
knew it was going to be a tough match, but we've been playing well
so we were quietly confident. We've done a lot of doubles training
in the last year and a half so we definitely felt we had a good
chance of beating them."
Lobban, 21, delivered the match-winning shot - a
backhand slam into the front right nick. "Greg's a very
naturally-talented and gifted player which I think the last shot of
the match proved," continued Crawford, Scotland's 33-year-old
assistant national coach.
"I think we've got a really good balance of youth and
experience and his explosiveness and my steady calming influence
works really well. He can sometimes get a bit fiery.
"He's an awesome talent and I can't wait to watch him
progress over the rest of this tournament and over the singles tour
over the next ten years."
Ghosal, the world No16 who reached the singles
semi-finals, said: " It's very hard - we lost and we are out now.
They came out better in the first game and in the second we were
better than them - and in the third it was neck and neck."
When asked to comment on squad member Mahesh
Mangaonkar's statement on Twitter the previous day that 'if
India doesn't win a medal in the squash doubles then I will do 10
court sprints with just my underwear on the show court', Ghosal
said: "That was one of the funniest tweets I've ever seen.
"Hopefully we'll spare him the embarrassment!"
Clyne admitted that his fellow countrymen's win gave
him and Leitch a lift: "They really got pumped up and got a good win
- that spurred us on."
The seasoned pair reached the 2010 semi-finals in
Delhi, since when part-timer Leitch has graduated in medicine and
now also has a PhD - and starts work as a junior doctor two days
after the Games finish.
"He's really good at cross court nicks and straight
nicks," said world No35 Clyne of his partner. "He's really good
attacking-wise but he's also really strong in the head - I know he's
never going to let us down. We work really well together as a team.
I probably use my pace more and he's got the power."
A later men's doubles upset saw the balance of power
in New Zealand men's squash disturbed when underdogs Lance
Beddoes & Paul Coll beat fellow Kiwis Campbell Grayson
& Martin Knight, the fifth seeds, 11-7, 12-10.
"You have to put aside that they're your mates and
get on with the match. It was a pretty clean match today," said a
delighted Beddoes afterwards. "It's definitely a different game - if
you look at the rankings, they are 42 and 46, whereas I think we are
136 and 72! It's definitely a leveller."
Knight went on to partner Joelle King to
victory in the last 16 round of the Mixed Doubles, the second-seeded
pairing beating Malaysia's Rachael Arnold & Valentino Bon
Jovi Bong 11-1, 11-6 to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
"It was probably the toughest draw we could have had
- they were grossly under-seeded," said Knight of his earlier
domestic battle. "We were under no illusions about the task we had -
we only just beat them in a recent Tri-Nations final, in a tough
2/1."
On the new-format doubles, the world No44 from
Wellington added: "I like the lower tin - it encourages attacking
squash. It's pretty unforgiving. I would actually like to see it go
back to best-of-five. You can get some exceptionally quick matches.
"The stadium here is awesome. The crowds have been
really good all week for both the singles and doubles - it's a great
atmosphere."
King's mixed victory with Knight immediately followed
her shock defeat with Amanda Landers-Murphy in the Women's
Doubles. Defending her Delhi gold medal, King went down 11-9, 11-5
to fifth-seeded Indians Joshana Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal.
"When you're in these events, you have matches
back-to-back and you have to deal with it," said the world No4, the
bronze medallist in the singles. "I think we're both quite good at
putting what's happened behind us and just moving on."
But it is only England who already have a certain
doubles medal to their credit after Jenny Duncalf & Laura
Massaro and Emma Beddoes & Alison Waters set up an
all-English women's doubles semi-final.
Top seeds Duncalf & Massaro beat Australian pair
Lisa Camilleri & Donna Urquhart 11-7, 11-4, while third
seeds Beddoes & Waters defeated Malaysians Nicol David &
Low Wee Wern 11-10, 11-8 - thus bringing two-time women's
singles gold medallist David's Glasgow 2014 run to an end.
"That's probably the best we've played since Delhi,"
said Massaro afterwards. "We've always said when the medals get on
it, we'd bring our best game out and that was good."
Commenting on the all-English semi, Games debutante
Beddoes said: "We obviously know their game well and they know our
game well. Hopefully it will be a great game and we hope to come out
on the right side of it."
Click
on Images for Larger View
25 ft wide doubles courts (four feet wider than for
singles) - incorporating, for the first time at the Games, a lower,
13-inch, 'tin'
Games Mascot 'Clyde'
Scotland's second pairing Stuart Crawford & Greg
Lobban thrilled the partisan crowd by upsetting India's No7 seeds
Saurav Ghosal & Harinder Pal Sandhu
Emma
Beddoes & Alison Waters set up an all-English women's doubles
semi-final
Waters and BedddoesCelebrating Their Win
Craig/Perry (Nir) eventually win through against Stafford/West (Cay)
Glasgow
2014 Squash Doubles Head For Knockout Stages
Further intense Squash doubles
action at the Scotstoun Sports Campus in Glasgow has
led to the knockout stages of the men's and women's events in the
2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland's largest city.
Malta duo Bradley Hindle &
Daniel Zammit-Lewis became the only unseeded pairing to make the
last 16 round of the Men's Doubles after ousting Guyana's 16th seeds
Alexander Arjoon & Sunil Seth 11-5, 11-7 on the day
that Arjoon was celebrating his 22nd birthday!
Hindle & Zammit-Lewis's reward is a
clash with David Palmer & Cameron Pilley, the No2
seeds from Australia.
Welsh pair Peter Creed &
David Evans followed their impressive upset over India's 7th
seeds Saurav Ghosal & Harinder Pal Sandhu on Tuesday
by beating Cayman Islands pair Malton Blair & Julian
Jervis 11-1, 11-5 to top Pool G.
"We knew yesterday's match would be
the toughest match of the group - but we work well together and knew
we were in with a shout," said five-time and reigning Welsh national
champion Creed. "Today's match felt harder mentally - we both felt a
bit edgy, we'd both had mixed matches earlier in the day."
Evans, a 39-year-old former world
No3, has been focussed on coaching since retiring from the
professional circuit almost decade ago.
"At the start of the year, there was
no plan for us to play together - but we played an event and
realised we worked well together," said the former British Open
champion from Pontypool. "And now it means we've got two strong
Welsh men's pairs here.
"But the pleasing thing about today
is that this is the best we've played.
"The new doubles format makes the
game a lot more exciting - it's definitely better than it was - it's
a lot more open. There are a lot of good pairs here."
The top eight seeds will contest the
Women's Doubles quarter-finals - but Malaysian pairing Nicol
David & Low Wee Wern, the fourth seeds, went down 11-8,
11-5 to Joshana Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal in a defeat
which ultimately led to the fifth seeds from India topping the Pool.
"We did really well in the first game
but they started off better in the second," explained David, the
singles gold medallist. "With doubles, it can be anyone's game - we
have to learn from this. They've had far more practice than we
have."
Pallikal, the 22-year-old world No10,
confirmed: "We really upped our game in the second.
"Joshana and I have had a lot of
doubles practice - we have an understanding. We know each other's
game and I think that showed. We really enjoy doubles and I think a
lot of people don't.
"We're really looking to get to the
final."
The Mixed Doubles event is also
heading towards a last 16 knockout round, but a further qualifying
matches will take place on Thursday.
Scottish interest is still riding
high in both the men's and mixed events - led by Alan Clyne,
the world No35 from Edinburgh. The Scottish number one partnered
Frania Gillen-Buchert to a crucial upset over Delia Arnold
& Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan, the No8 seeds from Malaysia, 11-8,
11-10.
"This is my fourth match in two days
- it's quite a schedule," said Clyne. "And that was a big match -
they were seeded above us. We've been able to do a lot of practice
in the last few days, which has helped.
"Frania didn't play in the singles so
for her it's doubles, doubles, doubles - which is helping a lot.
"The new format has done wonders for
doubles - you can get rewarded for using the front of the court."
Fresh from his bronze success in the
men's singles, England's Peter Barker partnered fellow
Londoner Alison Waters to an 11-9, 10-11, 11-5 win over Welsh
pair Tesni Evans & Peter Creed.
"Alison was able to use some of her
drops effectively as she was taking most of the play," explained
world No8 Barker. "We took each rally for what it was and both teams
played some good stuff and I thought it was an exciting match.
"We had played them a couple of times
over the summer in training squads but today they swapped sides so
we had to change our tactics at the last minute.
"That was good for us because usually
we are quite particular and regimented in many ways so it was good
to come through the match having to change our tactics.
"Ali was the only girl I wanted to
play with and I think we play really well together.
"You only have to look at the length
of the matches to see that the new format is working. The games are
much more exciting - just look at the crowd reaction. I hope it is a
step forward.
"It's so different from what we're
used to - different movement and different tactics. Even though I
was playing with my best mate (Daryl Selby) last time in
Delhi, I didn't enjoy it - so I really wanted to enjoy it this
time."
Men's last sixteen round line-up:
[1] Adrian Grant & Nick Matthew (ENG) v [15]
Christopher Binnie & Bruce Burrowes (JAM)
[10] Peter Creed & David Evans (WAL) v [9]
Valentino Bon Jovi Bong & Ivan Yuen (MAS)
[4] Alan Clyne & Harry Leitch (SCO) v [14] Mwinga
Lengwe & Kelvin Ndhlovu (ZAM)
[6] Ryan Cuskelly & Matthew Karwalski (AUS) v [12]
Micah Franklin & Nicholas Kyme (BER)
[5] Campbell Grayson & Martin Knight (NZL) v [11]
Lance Beddoes & Paul Coll (NZL)
[3] Daryl Selby & James Willstrop (ENG) v [13]
Scott Fitzgerald & David Haley (WAL)
[8] Stuart Crawford & Greg Lobban (SCO) v [7]
Saurav Ghosal & Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND)
[2] David Palmer & Cameron Pilley (AUS) v Bradley
Hindle & Daniel Zammit-Lewis (MLT)
Women's quarter-final line-up:
[1] Jenny Duncalf & Laura Massaro (ENG) v [7] Lisa
Camilleri & Donna Urquhart (AUS)
[3] Emma Beddoes & Alison Waters (ENG) v [4] Nicol
David & Low Wee Wern (MAS)
[5] Joshana Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal (IND) v [6]
Joelle King & Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL)
[2] Kasey Brown & Rachael Grinham (AUS) v [8] Tesni
Evans & Deon Saffery (WAL)
Click on Images for Larger View
Grinham embraces Camilleri
Brown/Grinham
beat Urquhart/Camilleri
David/Wee Wern
lose to Chinappa/Pallikal
Clyne/Gillen-Buchert beat Adnan/Arnold
No way through for
Welshman Peter Creed against Alison Waters from England
Men's Doubles, 2nd
qualifying round:
Pool A Bradley Hindle & Daniel Zammit-Lewis (MLT) bt [16]
Alexander Arjoon & Sunil Seth (GUY) 11-5, 11-7 (16m)
[1] Adrian Grant & Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Schubert
Maketu & Moreaina Wei (PNG) 11-6, 11-7 (12m)
Pool B
[15] Christopher Binnie & Bruce Burrowes (JAM) bt
Scott Gautier & Nick Taylor (JEY) 9-11, 11-5, 11-10 (43m)
Pool C
[3] Daryl Selby & James Willstrop (ENG) bt Jason
Doyle & Jules Snagg (SVG) 11-2, 11-2 (12m)
[14] Mwinga Lengwe & Kelvin Ndhlovu (ZAM) bt
Anthony Brindle & Christian Navas (GIB) 11-9, 11-3 (18m)
Pool D
[13] Scott Fitzgerald & David Haley (WAL) bt Colin
Ramasra & Kale Wilson (TRI) 11-3, 11-6 (16m)
Pool E
[12] Micah Franklin & Nicholas Kyme (BER) bt James
Fayia & Issa Kamara (SLE) w/o
Pool F
[6] Ryan Cuskelly & Matthew Karwalski (AUS) bt
Mitchell Graham & Duncan Gray (NFI) 11-8, 11-1 (16m)
[11] Lance Beddoes & Paul Coll (NZL) bt Dilshan
Gunawardena & Gihan Suwaris (SRI) 11-8, 11-0 (11m)
Pool G
[7] Saurav Ghosal & Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) bt
Paul Kadoma & Michael Kawooya (UGA) 11-7, 11-3 (15m)
[10] Peter Creed & David Evans (WAL) bt Malton
Blair & Julian Jervis (CAY) 11-1, 11-5 (19m)
Pool H
[8] Stuart Crawford & Greg Lobban (SCO) bt Madako
Junior Suari & Kerry Walsh (PNG) 11-1, 11-2 (10m)
[9] Valentino Bon Jovi Bong & Ivan Yuen (MAS) bt
James Bentick & Kevin Hannaway (SVG) 11-4, 11-6 (14m)
Women's Doubles, 2nd qualifying round:
Pool A
[1] Jenny Duncalf & Laura Massaro (ENG) bt [8]
Tesni Evans & Deon Saffery (WAL) 11-10, 11-7 (41m) Lynette Vai & Eli Webb (PNG) bt Charlotte Knaggs
& Kerrie Sample (TRI) 11-6, 10-11, 11-10 (27m)
[1] Jenny Duncalf & Laura Massaro (ENG) bt
Charlotte Knaggs & Kerrie Sample (TRI) 11-2, 11-4 (13m)
[8] Tesni Evans & Deon Saffery (WAL) bt Lynette Vai
& Eli Webb (PNG) 11-2, 11-3 (9m)
Pool B
[2] Kasey Brown & Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt [7] Lisa
Camilleri & Donna Urquhart (AUS) 11-9, 11-6 (24m) Rachael Arnold & Vanessa Raj (MAS) bt Kimberley
Borg-Cauchi & Colette Sultana (MLT) 11-7, 11-7 (12m)
[7] Lisa Camilleri & Donna Urquhart (AUS) bt
Rachael
Arnold & Vanessa Raj (MAS) 11-4, 11-6 (13m)
[2] Kasey Brown & Rachael Grinham (AUS) bt
Kimberley Borg-Cauchi & Colette Sultana (MLT) 11-1, 11-4
(8m)
Pool C Alex Clark & Frania Gillen-Buchert (SCO) bt Dorothy
Boyce & Sheila Morove (PNG) 11-3, 11-2 (10m)
[3] Emma Beddoes & Alison Waters (ENG) bt [6]
Joelle King & Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) 8-11, 11-2,
11-8 (48m)
[3] Emma Beddoes & Alison Waters (ENG) bt Dorothy
Boyce & Sheila Morove (PNG) 11-2, 11-7 (11m)
[6] Joelle King & Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) bt
Alex Clark & Frania Gillen-Buchert (SCO) 11-6, 11-2 (16m)
Pool D
[5] Joshana Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal (IND) bt [4]
Nicol David & Low Wee Wern (MAS) 11-8, 11-5 (17m) Megan Craig & Kylie Lindsay (NZL) bt Mihiliya
Methsarani & Nadindhi Udangawa (SRI) 11-4, 11-1 (12m)
[5] Joshana Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal (IND) bt
Megan Craig & Kylie Lindsay (NZL) 11-5, 11-4 (15m)
[4] Nicol David & Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt Mihiliya
Methsarani & Nadindhi Udangawa (SRI) 11-2, 11-2 (9m)
Mixed Doubles, 2nd qualifying round:
Pool A
[1] Kasey Brown & Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt
Rachael
Arnold & Valentino Bon Jovi Bong (MAS) 11-6, 11-6 (23m)
Pool B
[2] Joelle King & Martin Knight (NZL) bt Alex Clark
& Kevin Moran (SCO) 11-3, 11-3 (26m)
Pool C
[3] Rachael Grinham & David Palmer (AUS) bt [14]
Madeline Perry & Michael Craig (NIR) 11-3, 11-7 (24m) Marlene West & Cameron Stafford (CAY) bt Sharon
Chimfwembe & Manda Chilambwe (ZAM) 11-2, 11-4 (17m)
Pool D Colette Sultana & Bradley Hindle (MLT) bt Charlotte
Knaggs & Kale Wilson (TRI) 11-7, 11-10 (39m)
[4] Alison Waters & Peter Barker (ENG) bt [13]
Tesni Evans & Peter Creed (WAL) 11-9, 10-11, 11-5 (45m)
Pool E
[5] Dipika Pallikal & Saurav Ghosal (IND) bt
Samantha Cornett & Shawn Delierre (CAN) 11-3, 11-2 (16m)
Pool F
[6] Sarah Kippax & Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [11] Deon
Saffery & David Evans (WAL) 8-11, 11-3, 11-8 (47m) Kerrie Sample & Colin Ramasra (TRI) bt Vanessa
Florens & Xavier Koenig (MRI) 11-3, 11-5 (16m)
Pool G Joshana Chinappa & Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND) bt [7]
Amanda Landers-Murphy & Paul Coll (NZL) 11-8, 11-10 (29m)
Pool H
[9] Frania Gillen-Buchert & Alan Clyne (SCO) bt [8]
Delia Arnold & Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) 11-8, 11-10
(30m) Eilidh Bridgeman & Daniel Murphy (CAY) bt Lynette
Vai & Madako Junior Suari (PNG) 11-9, 10-11, 11-5 (31m)
Gold
Medal Star David Recovers In Doubles Debut In Glasgow
After Monday's exhilarating climax to the
Commonwealth Games Squash singles action in Glasgow,
players from 25 nations switched to doubles squash at the
Scotstoun Sports Campus in Scotland's largest city.
Overnight, the venue's squash courts, including the
spectacular all-glass showcourt, were converted to 25 ft wide
doubles courts (four feet wider than for singles) - incorporating,
for the first time at the Games, a lower, 13-inch, 'tin'.
Both singles gold medallists were in action: Men's
winner Nick Matthew, the 34-year-old world No2 from England,
successfully began the defence of his Men's Doubles gold medal with
partner Adrian Grant, comfortably winning both Pool matches.
But Nicol David - the Malaysian who, like
Matthew, successful retained the singles title she won in 2010 in
Delhi - suffered a scare in the Women's Doubles when a game behind
and 5-0 down in the second against unseeded underdogs Megan Craig
& Kylie Lindsay, of New Zealand.
At 10-all - game-ball for the fourth seeds but
match-ball for the Kiwis - David's partner Low Wee Wern
struck a ball which died in the back wall nick to win the game.
The Penang pair went on to clinch the match 7-11,
11-10, 11-6 in 42 minutes.
"The shot came at the right time," said Wee Wern.
"I've been trying that all match and it worked.
"They'd had a bit more practice over the last two
days - when Nicol was a bit busy!"
When asked to sum up the match, David said: "It was
close! We've got a good partnership - and we'd played them before so
we knew what they were like.
"I had a quiet celebration last night - I had to get
ready for this.
"Doubles is a bit different from singles - and you
could see that in the first game - but it's a nice feeling playing
doubles. It's all about putting tactics together."
Matthew and Grant's pre-event preparation was also
hampered by the Yorkshireman's knee surgery: "We've not had a lot of
practice because of my injury - and I need to give a big shout to
England team-mate Tom (Richards) who stepped in and really helped
Adrian get the competition he needed," said Matthew. "It was really
strange watching them practise while I was recovering.
"It felt like I had a hangover when I woke up this
morning - which I didn't - and I'm now feeding off Adrian's energy.
He's so keen.
"Anything can happen in doubles, for sure. In
Melbourne, we thought our singles strength would carry us through,
but it didn't, and we learnt from that."
Matthew had earlier described the previous day as
'the best sporting day of my life': "It was pretty emotional,
there's not been much time for it to sink it as it was straight back
to doubles.
"I think I will really digest it next week. I've got
to have the mentality that the job is not done, it's only half way
done."
Grant added: "What Nick achieved was fantastic - both
for him and for the sport."
Squash legend David Palmer finally made his
Glasgow 2014 debut - lured out of retirement to make a fifth
successive appearance in the Games for Australia. The 38-year-old
former world No1 and world champion opened his campaign in the men's
doubles, partnering world No20 Cameron Pilley and bidding for
a record seventh medal, but a first gold.
He and Pilley won both their matches, then with
Rachael Grinham in the Mixed Doubles recovered from game down to
down 8-11, 11-3, 11-2.
"It feels special being here," said Palmer. "After
watching all the matches all week, it's great to get onto the court.
"I wanted to play with Cameron - I think we match
each other well. His style is perfect for us and he's done really
well here this week in the singles.
"I'm here trying to win medals for Australia - I've
got three matches today, but I've prepared for it. I'm missing that
gold medal - I came close in Delhi."
In commenting on the new doubles format, Pilley
added: "I think the new format is good - before, it wasn't exciting
but now it's good for the crowd. It's now really exciting and more
attacking. I think it's here to stay."
England pair Daryl Selby and Sarah Kippax
also made their 2014 Games' debuts after supporting their team-mates
through the singles. The duo despatched Trinidad & Tobago's
Kerrie Sample & Colin Ramasra 11-1, 11-4.
"Sarah and I came together quite late as a pair, but
we know each other well and have forged a good partnership," said
Selby. "We're seeded six, so not expected to medal, so if we do it
will be a massive bonus."
On comparing the two disciplines, Selby continued:
"I've always enjoyed playing doubles but we just don't play it
enough for it to be something that I am 100% confident in my ability
in.
"With singles, I go on court and I know what I've got
to do - the tactics are sorted beforehand and it's automatic. It's
like driving a car, you don't think about it.
"But in doubles, it's still squash - but it's like
driving a lorry instead of a car! You don't do it very often, and
you are manoeuvring something that you are not 100% comfortable
with."
The only significant upset of the day came in the
men's doubles where Welshmen Peter Creed & David Evans,
the No10 seeds, beat Indian pairing Saurav Ghosal &
Harinder Pal Sandhu, seeded seven, 11-8, 11-3.
Click on Images for Larger View
Games Mascot 'Clyde'
Click on Images for Larger View
Nick
Matthew & Adrian Grant, (Eng)
David
Palmer & Rachael Grinham (Aus) win Against Marlene West &
Cameron Stafford from the Cayman Islands
A peak television audience of one million viewers tuned in to BBC1
to watch Nick Matthew and Nicol David claim Gold in the finals of
the Commonwealth Games squash competition on Monday July 28.
Figures released by the British broadcaster show that 0.8 million
viewers tuned in to see David, the Malaysian World No.1, beat
England's Laura Massaro in a intriguing 3-0 win while the audience
rose to 1 million as Matthew took on perennial rival James Willstrop
in the final of the men's singles event.
The Yorkshire-duo dazzled the crowds and viewers alike as they
battled for 100-minutes in a thrilling 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-5
encounter which saw Matthew claim his second successive singles Gold
medal.
It was a performance which saw the likes of Olympic medallists
Matthew Pinsent, Daley Thompson, Joanna Roswell and other sporting
icons such as Gary Lineker and Michael Vaughan take to Twitter to
voice their appreciation and respect for squash.
"The finals of both the men's and women's singles at the
Commonwealth Games displayed the passion, dedication and
competitiveness which demonstrates precisely the kind of attributes
that make squash a perfect fit for such a global sporting platform,"
said Professional Squash Association Chief Executive Alex Gough.
"The BBC's coverage of the action during the Commonwealth Games so
far has showcased the sport in a fantastic light, following their
broadcast of the 2013 World Championship on the Red Button last
November, and to see such strong figures for the event is a boost to
everyone involved in the sport.
"It's testament to the temperament and talents of all four
finalists, and all the competitors in the Commonwealth Games, that
the sport is currently riding high on a wave of high-profile public
support."
POOL 1: [1] Adrian Grant & Nick Matthew (ENG), [16]
Alexander Arjoon & Sunil Seth (GUY), Bradley Hindle
& Daniel Zammit-Lewis (MLT), Kerry Walsh & Moreaina
Wei (PNG)
POOL 2: [2] David Palmer & Cameron Pilley (AUS), [15]
Christopher Binnie & Bruce Burrowes (JAM), Scott
Gautier & Nick Taylor (JEY)
POOL 3: [3} Daryl Selby & James Willstrop (ENG), [14]
Mwinga Lengwe & Kelvin Ndhlovu (ZAM), Anthony
Brindle & Christian Navas (GIB), Othneil Bailey &
Jason Doyle (SVG)
POOL 4: [4] Alan Clyne & Harry Leitch (SCO), [13]
Scott Fitzgerald & David Haley (WAL), Colin Ramasra
& Kale Wilson (TTO)
POOL 5: [5] Campbell Grayson & Martin Knight (NZL),
[12] Micah Franklin & Nicholas Kyme (BER), James
Fayia & Issa Kamara (SLE)
POOL 6: [6] Zac Alexander & Ryan Cuskelly (AUS), [11]
Lance Beddoes & Paul Coll (NZL), Dilshan
Gunawardena & Gihan Suwaris (SRI), Mitchell Graham
& Duncan Gray (NFK)
POOL 7: [7] Saurav Ghosal & Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND),
[10] Peter Creed & David Evans (WAL), Malton Blair
& Julian Jervis (CAY), Paul Kadoma & Michael
Kawooya (UGA)
POOL 8: [8] Stuart Crawford & Greg Lobban (SCO), [9]
Ong Beng Hee & Ivan Yuen (MAS), James Bentick &
Kevin Hannaway (SVG), Schubert Maketu & Madako
Junior Suari (PNG)
POOL 1: [1] Kasey Brown & Cameron Pilley (AUS); [16]
Rachael Arnold & Valentino Bon Jovi Bong (MAS),
Nicolette Fernandes & Alexander Arjoon (GUY)
POOL 2: [2] Joelle King & Martin Knight (NZL); [15]
Alex Clark & Kevin Moran (SCO), Sarah Taylor &
Nick Taylor (JEY)
POOL 3: [3] Rachael Grinham & David Palmer (AUS), [14]
Madeline Perry & Michael Craig (NIR), Marlene West
& Cameron Stafford (CAY), Sharon Chimfwembe & Manda
Chilambwe (ZAM)
POOL 4: [4] Alison Waters & Peter Barker (ENG), [13]
Tesni Evans & Peter Creed (WAL), Charlotte Knaggs
& Colin Ramasra (TTO), Colette Sultana & Daniel
Zammit-Lewis (MLT)
POOL 5: [5] Dipika Pallikal & Saurav Ghosal (IND),
[12] Samantha Cornett & Shawn Delierre (CAN),
Naduni Gunawardane & Ravindu Laksiri (SRI)
POOL 6: [6] Sarah Kippax & Daryl Selby (ENG), [11]
Deon Saffery & David Evans (WAL), Kerrie Sample &
Kale Wilson (TTO), Vanessa Florens & Xavier Koenig
(MRI)
POOL 7: [7] Amanda Landers-Murphy & Paul Coll (NZL),
[10] Joshana Chinappa & Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND),
Eli Webb & Schubert Maketu (PNG)
POOL 8: [8] Delia Arnold & Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS),
[9] Frania Gillen-Buchert & Alan Clyne (SCO),
Eilidh Bridgeman & Daniel Murphy (CAY), Lynette Vai
& Madako Junior Suari (PNG)
2014 Commonwealth Games Squash
Top 8 Seeds
Complete draws will be published on 17 July.
Women's Doubles:
1 Laura Massaro & Jenny Duncalf (ENG)
2 Kasey Brown & Rachael Grinham (AUS)
3 Emma Beddoes & Alison Waters (ENG)
4 Nicol David & Low Wee Wern (MAS)
5 Joshana Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal (IND)
6 Joelle King & Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL)
7 Lisa Camilleri & Donna Urquhart (AUS)
8 Tesni Evans & Deon Saffery (WAL)
Men's Doubles:
1 Nick Matthew & Adrian Grant (ENG)
2 David Palmer & Cameron Pilley (AUS)
3 Daryl Selby & James Willstrop (ENG)
4 Alan Clyne & Harry Leitch (SCO)
5 Campbell Grayson & Martin Knight (NZL)
6 Ryan Cuskelly & Zac Alexander (AUS)
7 Harinder Pal Sandhu & Saurav Ghosal (IND)
8 Stuart Crawford & Greg Lobban (SCO)
Mixed
Doubles:
1 Kasey Brown & Cameron Pilley (AUS)
2 Joelle King & Martin Knight (NZL)
3 Rachael Grinham & David Palmer (AUS)
4 Alison Waters & Peter Barker (ENG)
5 Dipika Pallikal & Saurav Ghosal (IND)
6 Sarah Kippax & Daryl Selby (ENG)
7 Amanda Landers-Murphy & Paul Coll (NZL)
8 Delia Arnold & Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS)
