Commonwealth Games 2014


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Squash Belongs To Glasgow (PDF)
Commonwealth Games Lowdown (PDF)

Seeds Revealed

Following Articles Courtesy of Lily_D
(external links)
Official WebSite        2006 Event      2010 Event

One Million Viewers Watch Squash Finals In Glasgow
 
Doubles Event

click to go to Doubles Event

Squash Celebrates Golden Glasgow Games
(Medals Update)
 

Final

Nicol David & Nick Matthew Celebrate Historic Commonwealth Games Double

Top seeds Nicol David and Nick Matthew marked an historic Commonwealth Games double today when both successfully retained their Squash singles titles at the Glasgow 2014 Games.

David - the world No1 from Malaysia who is competing in her fifth successive Games since her maiden home soil appearance in 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, aged 15 - beat England's world champion Laura Massaro in the women's final, whilst world No2 Matthew survived a five-game battle with fellow Englishman James Willstrop in a repeat of the 2010 men's final in Delhi.

The matches brought to a close an exhilarating five-day festival of squash staged on a spectacular all-glass showcourt at Scotstoun Sports Campus in Scotland's largest city, watched by unprecedented crowds in excess of 2,000 each day.

Massaro, the only player who has beaten David five times, established leads of 8-4 and 9-7 in the opening game before reaching game-ball at 10-9.

But the 30-year-old Malaysian, who has topped the world rankings unopposed since August 2006, played the shot of the match - a forehand boast which just cleared the tin - to draw level before clinching the game 12-10.

David went on to take the next two games 11-2, 11-5 to claiming the gold medal for the second time in a row, after 44 minutes.

"Winning the first game was crucial - it was really tough out there, I had to put the pressure on," said the beaming champion. "I've been working on that shot (to save game-ball at 9-10) for a long time!

"Laura is the most competitive player on the Tour - she's so determined, she just doesn't let go.

"It's only just hit me that I am the Commonwealth Games champion for the second time - it really is remarkable.

"Today is the Malaysian festival of Hari Raya (the Muslim 'Eid Mubarak' celebration to mark the end of Ramadan) - which makes it even more special for me.

"I really wanted this gold."

Massaro, a Commonwealth Games medallist for the first time, said: "Before the event, my goal was to get a medal. I was desperate for gold and when you spend the whole time aiming for that, this is a bit disappointing.

"I know when Nicol gets in front and gets the first game, it settles her down. She played really well - but I felt I was playing really well too," added the world No2 from Preston.

On David's crucial shot in the opening game, Massaro said: "She tends to pull out an awesome shot on game-ball down!"

The men's final also featured the top two seeds - with the Yorkshire pair marking their 53rd meeting and Matthew boasting a 41-11 lead.

Both players arrived in Glasgow following injury scares - Matthew underwent knee surgery six weeks ago and Willstrop suffered a mystery ailment which hampered his preparation.

Defending champion Matthew took the opening game after 25 minutes - but Willstrop recovered from an early Matthew lead in the second to draw level.

Willstrop seemed tired in the third as Matthew regained his lead - but the Harrogate-based underdog dug deep to win the fourth to set up a decider.

Matthew led throughout the fifth before raising his arms in joy after securing his 11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-5 title triumph in exactly 100 minutes.

"Considering what we've both been through, this match is a testament to both of us - we were both winners out there and both deserve to stand at the top of the podium," Matthew told the media afterwards.

"I was on a hospital bed six weeks ago and he was told he might never play again.

"And Chris (Robertson) reminded me of that when I came off court at two-all - 'you're a winner whatever happens' said my coach.

"I probably played some of my best squash in the fourth game, which I lost," added the Sheffield star.

"I'm very proud to win a second gold medal - and it's thanks to the people who have helped to get me to this stage."

It was an unexpectedly upbeat Willstrop who explained his thoughts after his defeat. "I'm disappointed to lose, of course, but I am really proud of my performance. I just enjoyed every second of it - I just loved being on that court. I've come off having lost, but I'm happy.

"I have great respect for what Nick has achieved. It's miraculous what he's done to get back after his surgery.

"When I got the results of the second scan (after a first had suggested a serious condition), it was like getting a new lease of life.

"I did hit a wall in the third - but I got second wind in the fourth. I haven't had a match like that for ages, but neither has he.

"This is not a loss - I've won a silver medal. Playing on an occasion like this doesn't get any better."

The men's bronze medal play-off resulted in a 1-2-3 for England when third seed Peter Barker beat Indian semi-final first-timer Saurav Ghosal, the No4 seed, 11-5, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6. The women's bronze went to Joelle King after the New Zealander beat England's Alison Waters 11-7, 11-7, 11-5.

After winning his second successive singles bronze, Barker said: "I was really gutted after yesterday - but to have come away today without a medal would have been even worse. It's been a long and tough week. I wanted a medal and badly wanted to improve on my bronze in Delhi.

"It's the first England medal - and that's why we are here. Medals is what the England team have all worked so hard for.

"Saurav played well - it was a really hard match and for him to have backed up his earlier matches in this way shows how far he has come. He has had some great PSA wins.

"I hope it's a great final - I wish I was in it. I know Nick has worked really hard over the past few weeks and the reaction on James's face last night when he won shows how good he feels about making the final.

"This crowd has been the best I've ever played in front of. People asked me yesterday if I'd be able to pick myself up for this today? Believe me, it's a privilege and honour to be able to play in such an arena."

When asked if he could look positively at the result, as the youngest of the 2014 semi-finalists and the only one likely to be competing in the 2018 Games, Ghosal said: "It's hard right now to think of that. I've trained really hard for this - four years is too far away. Right now I'm just gutted.

"To do everything I've done and not come away with anything tangible is super depressing. Yesterday I played really - and came up against two players really sharp on the day. But I'm happy I could back up four days in a row."

King's reaction to her win: "One of the most pleasing things about this is the way I've played all week. I really enjoyed myself out there today - I felt able to let go. I loved every second of it - it's amazing what you can do when you relax.

"I felt I rose to the occasion.

"I'm really happy to have won a medal and can now look forward to doing better in four years' time - I'm still young enough, aren't I?" said the 25-year-old.

"The crowd and atmosphere is AMAZING and the court is beautiful! I've never played in front of anything like it - and it's been like this all week, with the crowds cheering for both players. I have to say a big thank you to Scotland."

Waters' reaction was brief: "Joelle played well - she was better on the day. It just wasn't my day."

Click on Images for Larger View


The spectacular all-glass showcourt at Scotstoun Sports Campus in Glasgow


Games Mascot 'Clyde'

Click on Images for Larger View


England 1, 2, 3, James Willstrop (Silver), Nick Matthew (Gold) and Peter Barker (Bronze) Display their medals


Gold for Nicol David (Mal) in centre with Massaro, Silver (Eng ) Left and Joelle King (Nzl) on right with the Bronze medal



Nick Matthew marked an historic Commonwealth Games when he successfully retained his Squash singles title


Nicol David Celebrates the Defence of Her 2010 Title


"Winning the first game was crucial - it was really tough out there, I had to put the pressure on," said David afterwards


Joelle King (Nzl) and Alison Waters (Eng) battle for the Bronze Medal which goes to King in 3 Games


The men's bronze medal play-off resulted in a 1-2-3 for England when third seed Peter Barker beat Indian semi-final first-timer Saurav Ghosal, the No4 seed

Top Half Men's Draw
 
Men's final:
[1] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [2] James Willstrop (ENG)
11-9, 8-11, 11-5, 6-11, 11-5 (100m)

Bronze medal play-off:
[3] Peter Barker (ENG) bt [4] Saurav Ghosal (IND)
11-5, 6-11, 11-5, 11-6 (53m)
 
Round One
24 July
Round Two
24 July
Round Three
25 July
Quarters
26July
Semis
27 July
[1] Nick Matthew (ENG)
11-3, 11-3, 11-1 (21m)
Xavier Koenig (MRI)
Nick Matthew
11-4, 11-8, 11-4 (27m)
Christopher Binnie
Nick Matthew
11-4, 11-5, 11-8 (38m)
Alan Clyne
Nick Matthew
11-7, 11-8, 11-9 (53m)
Chris Simpson
Nick Matthew
11-3, 13-11, 11-6 (63m)
Peter Barker
Christopher Binnie (JAM)
11-0, 11-0, 11-1 (17m)
Ntholeng Lechesa (LES)
[9] Alan Clyne (SCO)
11-1, 11-2, 11-2 (14m)
Kevin Hannaway (SVG)
Alan Clyne
12-14, 11-9, 13-15, 11-1, 11-9 (116m)
Harinder Pal Sandhu
Harinder Pal Sandhu (IND)
11-9, 11-5, 11-5
Michael Craig (NIR)
[7] Chris Simpson (GGY)
11-7, 11-4, 11-1 (23m)
Julian Jervis (CAY)
Chris Simpson
11-2, 11-4, 11-1 (22m)
Colin Ramasra
Chris Simpson
11-6, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7 (85m)
Ryan Cuskelly
Colin Ramasra (TTO)
11-9, 11-6, 8-11, 6-11,
11-6
Ravindu Laksiri (SRI)
[11] Ryan Cuskelly (AUS)
11-7, 11-6, 11-7
Kenneth Maina (KEN)
Ryan Cuskelly
11-2, 11-7, 9-11, 8-11, 11-8 (84m)
Shawn Delierre
Shawn Delierre (CAN)
11-0, 11-2, 11-5 (16m)
Moreaina Wei (PNG)
[3] Peter Barker (ENG)
11-4, 11-1, 11-3 (30m)
Manda Chilambwe (ZAM)
Peter Barker
11-4, 11-6, 11-2 (40m)
Mahesh Mangaonkar
Peter Barker
11-7, 11-6, 11-3 (52m)
Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan
Peter Barker
11-8, 11-4, 11-5 (52m)
Cameron Pilley
Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND)
11-1, 11-5, 11-7 (24m)
Hardeep Reel (KEN)
[10] Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS)
11-2, 11-5, 11-4
Robert Maycock (BER)
Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan
11-9, 11-7, 13-11 (52m)
Peter Creed
Peter Creed (WAL)
11-0, 11-2, 11-0 (20m)
Ian Rukunya (UGA)
[5] Cameron Pilley (AUS)
11-3, 11-2, 11-2 (15m)
Kale Wilson (TTO)
Cameron Pilley
11-6, 11-3, 11-9 (25m)
Sunil Seth
Cameron Pilley
11-6, 11-4, 11-6 (51m)
Greg Lobban
Sunil Seth (GUY)
11-2, 12-10, 11-0 (24m)
Daniel Zammit-Lewis (MLT)
[16] Greg Lobban (SCO)
11-3, 11-5, 11-9
Bruce Burrowes (JAM)
Greg Lobban
12-10, 11-9, 11-8 (41m)
Nick Taylor
Nick Taylor (JEY)
11-6, 11-6, 11-7 (22m)
Othneil Bailey (SVG)

Men's 1st round:
Othneil Bailey (SVG) bt Mark Tewkesbury (GIB) 11-4, 8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-2 (41m)
Michael Kawooya (UGA) bt Schubert Maketu (PNG) 11-1, 11-5, 11-5 (17m)
Hartaj Bains (KEN) bt Daniel Murphy (CAY) 11-7, 11-4, 11-6 (21m)

Bottom Half Men's Draw
Round One
23 July
Round Two
24 July
Round Three
25 July
Quarters
26July
Semis
27 July
Micah Franklin (BER)
11-4, 11-4, 9-11, 8-11, 11-4 (47m)
Michael Kawooya (UGA)
Micah Franklin
11-1, 11-1, 11-4 (21m)
Campbell Grayson
Campbell Grayson
11-4, 11-6, 11-4 (35m)
Kelvin Ndhlovu


Campbell Grayson
8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 (93m)
Saurav Ghosal
Saurav Ghosal
11-8, 11-8, 11-5 (49m)
James Willstrop
[12] Campbell Grayson (NZL)
11-0, 11-4, 11-1 (17m)
Hartaj Bains (KEN)
Joe Chapman (IVB)
11-4, 11-2, 11-2 (10m)
James Fayia (SLE)
Joe Chapman
11-6, 10-12, 11-0, 12-10 (51m)
Kelvin Ndhlovu
[8] Ong Beng Hee (MAS)
11-7, 11-2, 9-11, 11-5 (35m)
Kelvin Ndhlovu (ZAM)
Joel Makin (WAL)
11-9, 11-8, 11-5 (35m)
Alexander Arjoon (GUY)
Joel Makin
11-5, 11-6, 11-6 (44m)
Steven Finitsis
Steven Finitsis
11-2, 11-5, 4-11, 6-11, 11-8 (86m)
Saurav Ghosal
[14] Steven Finitsis (AUS)
11-7, 11-4, 11-3 (23m)
Mwinga Lengwe (ZAM)
Paul Coll (NZL)
11-0, 11-5, 11-7 (22m)
Issa Kamara (SLE)
Paul Coll
11-4, 11-4, 11-7 (43m)
Saurav Ghosal
[4] Saurav Ghosal (IND)
11-1, 11-6, 11-3 (16m)
Jules Snagg (SVG)
Bradley Hindle (MLT)
11-5, 14-12, 11-9 (40m)
Scott Fitzgerald (WAL)
Bradley Hindle
9-11, 11-8, 11-7, 11-8 (57m)
Ivan Yuen
Ivan Yuen
11-8, 9-11, 11-2, 11-8 (65m)
Alister Walker
Ivan Yuen
11-1, 11-7, 11-3 (29m)
James Willstrop
[15] Ivan Yuen (MAS)
11-0, 11-3, 11-1 (13m)
Ridvan Prosper (SEY)
Cameron Stafford (CAY)
11-2, 11-5, 11-3
Christian Navas (GIB)
Cameron Stafford
11-3, 11-4, 11-5 (25m)
Alister Walker
[6] Alister Walker (BOT)
11-5, 11-4, 11-2
Dilshan Gunawardena (SRI)
Kevin Moran (SCO)
11-3, 11-3, 11-4 (21m)
Scott Gautier (JEY)
Kevin Moran
11-4, 11-3, 9-11, 11-6 (55m)
Martin Knight
Martin Knight
11-5, 11-5, 11-5 (31m)
James Willstrop
[13] Martin Knight (NZL)
11-0, 11-6, 11-3 (13m)
Gihan Suwaris (SRI)
Anthony Brindle (GIB)
11-5, 11-4, 11-9 (21m)
Madako Junior Suari (PNG)
Anthony Brindle
11-6, 11-5, 11-4 (15m)
James Willstrop
[2] James Willstrop (ENG)
11-4, 11-3, 11-4 (21m)
Nicholas Kyme (BER)
Women's Draw

Bronze medal play-off:
[3] Joelle King (NZL) bt [4] Alison Waters (ENG) 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 (42m)
 

Round One
24 July
Round Two
24 July
Round Three
25 July
Quarters
26July
Semis
27 July
[1] Nicol David (MAS)
11-6, 11-2, 11-1 (17m)
Vanessa Florens (MRI)
Nicol David
11-7, 11-6, 11-5 (26m)
Megan Craig
Nicol David
11-9, 11-7, 5-11, 11-4 (56m)
Jenny Duncalf
Nicol David
11-6, 11-8, 11-5 (39m)
Joelle King
Nicol David
12-10, 11-2, 11-5 (44m)
Laura Massaro
[16] Megan Craig (NZL)
11-1, 11-2, 11-2 (11m)
Safina Madhani (KEN)
[8] Jenny Duncalf (ENG)
11-2, 11-0, 11-8 (29m)
Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL)
Jenny Duncalf
11-4, 11-5, 11-7 (34m)
Samantha Cornett
[14] Samantha Cornett (CAN)
11-5, 11-7, 11-7 (34m)
Sarah Cardwell (AUS)
[3] Joelle King (NZL)
11-2, 11-3, 11-2 (17m)
Sarah Taylor (JEY)
Joelle King
11-3, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5 (48m)
Joshana Chinappa
Joelle King
11-6, 11-4, 11-6 (42m)
Madeline Perry
[12] Joshana Chinappa (IND)
11-9, 11-6, 9-11, 11-9 (47m)
Deon Saffery (WAL)
[7] Madeline Perry (NIR)
11-3, 11-2, 11-4 (14m)
Sharon Chimfwembe (ZAM)
Madeline Perry
11-4, 10-12, 11-8, 11-5 (57m)
Kasey Brown
[10] Kasey Brown (AUS)
11-3, 11-6, 11-3 (21m)
Nadindhi Udangawa (SRI)
[15] Delia Arnold (MAS)
11-6, 11-8, 11-6 (31m)
Anaka Alankamony (IND)
Delia Arnold
11-6, 12-10, 11-5 (40m)
Dipika Pallikal
Dipika Pallikal
8-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-6 (44m)
Alison Waters
Alison Waters
11-5, 12-14, 11-3, 11-8 (65m)
Laura Massaro
[6] Dipika Pallikal (IND)
11-4, 11-2, 11-1 (16m)
Charlotte Knaggs (TTO)
[9] Rachael Grinham (AUS)
11-6, 11-3, 11-1 (16m)
Mihiliya Methsarani (SRI)
Rachael Grinham
11-5, 2-11, 14-12, 11-9 (49m)
Alison Waters
[4] Alison Waters (ENG)
11-2, 11-1, 11-2 (11m)
Eli Webb (PNG)
[13] Tesni Evans (WAL)
11-3, 11-2, 11-3 (18m)
Kerrie Sample (TTO)
Tesni Evans
11-5, 11-7, 12-14, 11-9 (83m)
Low Wee Wern
Low Wee Wern
11-3, 11-2, 11-6 (35m)
Laura Massaro
[5] Low Wee Wern (MAS)
11-1, 11-2, 11-2 (19m)
Eilidh Bridgeman (CAY)
[11] Nicolette Fernandes (GUY)
11-4, 11-3, 11-3 (13m)
Namweene Muchaile (ZAM)
Nicolette Fernandes
11-7, 7-11, 11-4, 15-13 (39m)
Laura Massaro
[2] Laura Massaro (ENG)
11-2, 11-4, 11-1 (18m)
Lynette Vai (PNG)
Women's 1st round:
Sarah Taylor (JEY) bt Violet Luchendo (KEN) 11-2, 11-6, 11-6
Deon Saffery (WAL) bt Kimberley Borg-Cauchi (MLT) 11-3, 11-1, 11-1 (14m)
Sharon Chimfwembe (ZAM) bt Dorothy Boyce (PNG) 11-4, 11-7, 11-9
Nadindhi Udangawa (SRI) bt Eva Alphonse (SEY) 11-1, 11-1, 11-3 (11m)
Anaka Alankamony (IND) bt Khaaliqa Nimji (KEN) 11-2, 11-3, 11-6 (14m)
Charlotte Knaggs (TRI) bt Naduni Gunawardane (SRI) 11-9, 10-12, 11-8, 11-9 (26m)
Mihiliya Methsarani (SRI) bt Colette Sultana (MLT) 9-11, 10-12, 13-11, 11-9, 11-2 (42m)

Doubles Draws

Men's Doubles:
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)

Women's Doubles:
POOL 1: [1] Jenny Duncalf & Laura Massaro (ENG), [8] Tesni Evans & Deon Saffery (WAL), Lynette Vai & Eli Webb (PNG), Charlotte Knaggs & Kerrie Sample (TTO)
POOL 2: [1] Kasey Brown & Rachael Grinham (AUS), [7] Lisa Camilleri & Donna Urquhart (AUS), Delia Arnold & Vanessa Raj (MAS), Kimberley Borg-Cauchi & Colette Sultana (MLT)
POOL 3: [3] Emma Beddoes & Alison Waters (ENG), [6] Joelle King & Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL), Alex Clark & Frania Gillen-Buchert (SCO), Dorothy Boyce & Sheila Morove (PNG)
POOL 4: [4] Nicol David & Low Wee Wern (MAS), [5] Joshana Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal (IND), Megan Craig & Kylie Lindsay (NZL), Mihiliya Methsarani & Nadindhi Udangawa (SRI)

Mixed Doubles:
POOL 1: [1] Kasey Brown & Cameron Pilley (AUS); [16] Rachel 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)

Semi Finals
 

Matthew & David On Course For Historic Commonwealth Games Success

England's Nick Matthew and Malaysian Nicol David are on course to become the first squash players ever to defend their Commonwealth Games titles after both top seeds scored straight games triumphs in Sunday's semi-finals of the Glasgow 2014 Games at Scotstoun Sports Campus.

A sell-out crowd - well in excess of 2,000 - witnessed the action on the spectacular all-glass showcourt as world No1 David despatched New Zealand's Joelle King 11-6, 11-8, 11-5 and Matthew, the reigning world champion who is ranked two in the world, overcame fellow countryman Peter Barker.

Later, second seed James Willstrop prevailed in his semi-final against India's No4 seed Saurav Ghosal to set up a repeat of the all-English men's final in Delhi in 2010. And No2 seed Laura Massaro ensured English interest also in the women's final when she overcame fourth-seeded compatriot Alison Waters.

Matthew, who arrived in Glasgow six weeks after undergoing emergency surgery on his knee, delivered a commanding performance against Barker to beat the London left-hander - and reverse the result of their previous meeting in May - 11-3, 13-11, 11-6 in 63 minutes.

"I couldn't have wished for any more, to be honest," said the 34-year-old from Sheffield. "A few weeks ago I would have signed a million pieces of paper for that. I need to enjoy it and then really refocus ahead of the final.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would feel as good as I do with the knee - but I can't get carried away.

"I feel as good as I ever have done - which is a credit to the people helping me.

"Pete made me work incredibly hard today.

"I was in a hospital bed five weeks ago - how can I be favourite?

"If it is James I play in the final, then I hope it will be good for squash - and hopefully lots of people will sit up and take notice."

Barker, the world No8 who stunned Matthew in straight games in last May's Premier League Final, was clearly annoyed not to have tested the world champion more, particularly in not converting a game-ball in the second.

"I wasn't good enough and he was too good, he didn't let me play how I wanted to play," said the 2010 bronze medallist. "I tested him as much as I could. But he is the world champion.

"I attacked a little bit more in the second game, but it didn't go my way. I needed that second game really.

"A couple of decisions didn't go my way and sometimes things like that can cost you a game.

"Nick has been a friend for many years and I probably wouldn't be here without his help over the years - he has been a good guidance.

"All credit to him because he had surgery five weeks ago, yet he is playing at a level of quality like that.

"You obviously come for a medal and I will have no problems picking myself back up. It is an honour to have any medal at the Commonwealth Games and I will be fired up for it."

Willstrop, like arch Yorkshire rival Matthew, also reached the final without dropping a game - and extended his unbeaten record over Ghosal, the Indian number one who has now relocated to the Kolkata, the city of his birth, when he beat his former Pontefract club-mate 11-8, 11-8, 11-5.

Near-to-tears in an emotional reaction to reaching the final for the second time in a row, Willstrop revealed that he had been near to pulling out of the Games on the initial prognosis of an injury some six weeks ago. "To be honest, I've been through a very difficult few weeks. There were a couple of days when there was no way I was going to play this event," admitted the 30-year-old from Harrogate.

A second scan later provided more encouraging news which led to a tentative resumption of his preparation.

"The fact that I've got this far is a serious achievement," continued former world No1 Willstrop. "I'm very proud to be in the final.

"Nick (Matthew) and I have both been in a bit of a mess - he couldn't walk and I was unsure of my future.

"However, now I'm playing well and in good shape.

"There's no reason why I can't produce a performance to win tomorrow."

Ghosal, described by Willstrop as 'my best friend on the Tour', was downhearted by the outcome of the match. "I'm super sad that I've lost today. This match was one I really wanted to win - I'm really sad that I couldn't do it.

"I've now got another important match to prepare for."

Nicol David produced a clinical display to see off Kiwi King. "I really played well today - but Joelle was really on form. When you see her on that form, you really have to break it up. I had to really fight hard.

"It's such a great crowd - I just want to get back on that court for the final. I can't wait!

"Winning the gold would be the highlight of the year for me - you wait for four years to get this moment."

King, a gold and silver medallist in the doubles in Delhi, said: "That was horrible. Nicol really didn't give me much opportunity.

"I'm really disappointed. All week, I've prided myself on not making too many errors - but I guess when you're playing someone like Nicol, who retrieves so well and comes back at you, it puts that pressure on.

"I am disappointed that it was in three. Nicol is beatable - but you've got to play your best squash to beat her.

"I've got to come out tomorrow and fight for bronze."

 

 

 

 

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world No1 Nicol David (Mas) despatched New Zealand's Joelle King (Nzl)

 


Laura Massaro (Eng)ensured English interest also in the women's final when she overcame fourth-seeded compatriot Alison Waters (Eng)

 


Massaro Celebrating Her Win

 


Nick Matthew (Eng), the reigning world champion who is ranked two in the world, overcame fellow countryman Peter Barker (Eng)

 


James Willstrop (Eng)prevailed in his semi-final against India's No4 seed Saurav Ghosal (Ind)

 


James Willstrop (Eng) Into The Final

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In the second women's semi, world champion Massaro survived a tense battle with Waters to down her England team-mate 11-5, 12-14, 11-3, 11-8 in 65 minutes.

"I feel great," said the world No2 from Preston, now assured of a first singles medal. "That was a feisty encounter - we've not played for a while. We're both athletes at the top of our game and it was a match for a gold medal - everybody wants to win it.

"She was getting frustrated. I wasn't happy getting pushed and I knew she wasn't happy."

When asked how she approached the third game after going down in the second, Massaro said: "Camps (David Campion) told me I was getting too emotional in the second game: 'Go on and calm down for the next' he said.

"For the majority of the match I was happy with the way I played - I didn't feel it was physically hard.

"I don't think there will be pressure on either of us tomorrow. Nicol knows I'm capable of beating her - we both know the score!"

Waters was succinct in her appraisal of the match: "I tried my best but she was the better player on the day," said the 30-year-old Londoner.

 

Quarter Finals

English Men's & Women's Medallists Assured At Glasgow 2014

England are already assured of Squash medals in the 2014 Commonwealth Games after defending champion Nick Matthew set up a men's semi-final clash with 2010 bronze medallist Peter Barker, and world champion Laura Massaro established a last four meeting in the women's event with Londoner Alison Waters.

For the third day in a row, a rapturous near-capacity crowd in excess of 2,000 enjoyed world class action on the spectacular all-glass showcourt at Scotstoun Sports Campus in Glasgow as squash enthusiasts - and considerable numbers seeing the sport for the first time - saw the quarter-finals unfold in Scotland's largest city.

Matthew, the world No2 from Sheffield, defeated training partner Chris Simpson, the seventh seed from Guernsey who was making his quarter-final debut, 11-7, 11-8, 11-9 in 53 minutes.

"It was incredibly tough," said the 34-year-old Yorkshireman later. "Chris was just so desperate to do well - I could feel the pride of playing for Guernsey oozing out of him. He's a regular training partner, but I've never seen him play that well before. His court coverage was incredible."

When asked whether he was back to full fitness after knee surgery six weeks ago, Matthew said: "Alan (Clyne) and Chris gave me two of the toughest matches I could have had in the last two rounds. These guys are really physical players. It's what I needed - it really opened up my lungs."

Matthew will face Barker in a repeat of the 2010 semi-final in Delhi: "Pete will be up for it tomorrow. He'll see this as his moment. With my recent injury, he'll be sniffing his chances. If I give him an inch he'll take a yard. I'll have to try and stop that happening."

World No23 Simpson, playing on the glass court for the first time, said: "I always seem to play better when I have a crowd behind me.

"It's definitely the best I've played against him. He's got no real chinks in his armoury - even when you hit a good shot he will return it. I was pleased I managed to compete with him in so many facets of his game - it's the first time I've done that."

The Guernsey star, who played the first three rounds on conventional courts, had denied himself a look at the showcourt setting until he had earned his right to perform there.

"As it happens, I couldn't find the court for my practise session this morning - and when I finally did, there were about 1,000 people already in their seats! To practice in that situation was something special!

"To walk in and hear that amazing response from the crowd before my match was incredible. It was like being a footballer! It is great for squash. I now feel confident enough to be able to look up at the crowd and enjoy it."

Barker, the No3 seed also making his debut on the showcourt, beat Australian hope Cameron Pilley 11-8, 11-4, 11-5.

"I felt really good," said the London left-hander. "It was my first time on the glass court, with a change of conditions, crowd and adrenaline!

"I've put in a lot of work in preparation for this. It's quite a long competition and I've come here to win a medal.

"Nick's played every match on the glass court, but I played all mine until today on the plaster courts - which haven't had much attention. I like to go under the radar! I wasn't concerned when I saw the playing schedule - as long as I got one glass court match under the belt before the semi I was happy. And it was a quality match.

"Nick hasn't had a lot of squash in the last six weeks - I hope to use that to my advantage.

"The crowd was amazing - the best I've ever played in front of," added the world No8. "This is the pinnacle of our game - it's a real honour to play in front of so many people."

Pilley, the Australian number one, said: "I found it difficult to implement my game - he didn't let me in it. A lot of rallies could have gone either way. He seems to up his game when he plays me!

"Doubles is now my main focus."

At the end of the evening, Delhi silver medallist James Willstrop became the third Englishman to make the semis after beating surprise opponent Ivan Yuen, the 15th seed from Malaysia, 11-1, 11-7, 11-3.

"I was very ready for that," said the former world No1 from Harrogate. "To beat Alister (Walker) like he did in the previous round meant that I had to be respectful to him. But I managed to stop him attacking.

"It's a massive experience for me playing in front of a crowd like this, and I've been playing for a hundred years. But he's a young guy: imagine what it must have been like for him!"

Second seed Willstrop now plays fourth seed Saurav Ghosal, the Indian number one who has recently returned to the city of his birth, Kolkata, after being based for many years at Willstrop's club in Pontefract.

"Saurav is my best friend on the Tour - he's a great guy and I know we'll have a great game."

Ghosal survived a five-game battle for the second day in a row - clawing his way back from 2/0 down to beat New Zealander Campbell Grayson, the 12th seed, 8-11, 7-11, 11-6, 11-8, 11-6 in 93 minutes.

The marathon battle inspired a standing ovation from the crowd in appreciation of both players.

"He played some very good stuff in the first two games - I thought I deserved at least one of them," said Ghosal. "In my head and my heart, I kept telling myself I need one game on board.

"He came out firing in the fourth, going 5-0 up - and in the fifth it was neck and neck. There were some tense moments, but I got the job done in the end.

"I'm really happy to be able to back up yesterday's 86-minute match with this one today. I'm so focussed on trying to win that maybe I'm missing the chance to appreciate the setting and the crowd. It's the first time I've played on this court and I'm looking forward to coming back tomorrow.

"Yes, I know his (James's) game - but he knows mine too! We're very good friends on and off the court and our matches are played in the right spirit.

"But I want to win and will be doing my best to do so."

A despondent Grayson, the US-based world No42, said afterwards: "I feel I've been challenging players like that for the past two years - but the problem is that I haven't been beating them. And that's why I'm not in the top 20. I'm not consistent enough. I need to win these matches.

"At 2/0 up, I had to remind myself that there was still a long way to go. Perhaps the turning point came in the fourth when I lost my length - then at six-all in the fifth, I slipped."

The women's semi-final featuring Massaro and Waters will mark the English pair's 29th meeting since contesting the British Junior U14 final in 1997. Second seed Massaro beat Low Wee Wern, the No5 seed from Malaysia, 11-3, 11-2, 11-6 in just 35 minutes - in stark contrast to their previous two matches which, while won by the English player, took five games and each lasted well over an hour.

"I think Laura played really well - and if you want to beat her you have to be fully fit," explained the Malaysian number two. "Yesterday was my first match since coming out of hospital two weeks ago after suffering with Dengue fever - which can take five to six weeks to get over.

"I almost didn't make the Games at all. I've not had the best preparation! I've had doctors with me, making sure everything was all right with me on court.

"It took me a while to get used to the glass court - it was my first time on it here. I hope to be in better shape for the doubles."

Massaro said: "Wee Wern is known for getting ball after ball back - but the rallies weren't very long, so I knew something was wrong.

"I didn't enjoy yesterday at all. I was unlucky enough to play someone (Nicolette Fernandes of Guyana) who seemed 'possesed' - I've never seen her dive for so many balls before!

"So today I just wanted to enjoy myself - from the walk on to the court to the match itself. I learnt a lot from yesterday.

"But, to be honest, today's match was a bit of a blur - I was just in the moment and suddenly it was match-ball!"

 

 

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The spectacular all-glass showcourt at Scotstoun Sports Campus in Glasgow

 

 


Joelle King (Nz) Wins Over
37-year-old No7 seed Madeline Perry (Irl)

 


Malaysia's defending champion Nicol David defeated Jenny Duncalf of England

 


Peter Barker (Eng), the No3 seed, beat Australian hope Cameron Pilley

 


Nick Matthew (Eng), the world No2 from Sheffield, defeated Guernsey's Chris Simpson (Ggy)

 


Alison Waters (Eng) made the last four for the second time in a row after beating sixth-seeded Indian Dipika Pallikal (Ind)

 


Laura Massaro (Eng) beat Low Wee Wern, the No5 seed from Malaysia

 


Suarav Ghosal survived a five-game battle to beat New Zealander Campbell Grayson


James Willstrop became the third Englishman to make the semis after beating surprise opponent Ivan Yuen (Mas)

 

Waters made the last four for the second time in a row after beating sixth-seeded Indian Dipika Pallikal 8-11, 11-2, 11-9, 11-6.

"I won't say I played badly but she's got more experience than me and I think that's what made the difference today," Pallikal explained. "I played well in patches. I will take a lot of positives out of the match. It was such a big game - the quarter-finals of the Commonwealth Games!

"It's a pity I have to wait another four years away for the next event - but I'm only 22 so I have a few more chances.

"I know I can compete with the top five in the world - I just need more confidence and experience.

"I was so disappointed to have missed the last Games in Delhi, because of illness, as it would have been wonderful to have played in front of a home crowd - so I can imagine what it was like for Alison today. This crowd was amazing - it's really good to know that so many people seeing squash for the first time are enjoying it so much. It's a real positive for squash and the Olympics."

Waters confessed: "I gave her too much at the front in the first game and needed to pin her to the back. We both wanted to win this one.

"Before you start, you're thinking about medals - and now I'm close. If I play Laura tomorrow, there'll be no pressure as she is the higher seed."

In a repeat of the 2010 final, Malaysia's defending champion Nicol David defeated Jenny Duncalf of England 11-9, 11-7, 5-11, 11-4 in 56 minutes - dropping her first game of the tournament.

"It was a good match - it was good solid squash from both of us," said David, the world number one since August 2006. "She was very sharp - in the beginning it was neck and neck. She played her best squash against me for a while so I had to dig deep. I really had to step up in the fourth to take the control away from her.

"We were pushing each other - I was really pleased to win the game and now I can move on another level tomorrow.

"I feel relaxed and it was an early match which is good. I'm hoping to see some other sports later, maybe the cycling which is near the village."

The 30-year-old from Penang, now in her third successive semi, will face New Zealand's No3 seed Joelle King. "I'm excited to be in the semi-finals," continued David. "Joelle is definitely the one to look out for and I know I can't give her anything too easy. I just want to give it my all."

When asked about the sport's chances to join the Olympic programme, David added: "What you see here shows how great this game is and you can see the squash players are complete athletes. Squash is an all-round sport and that's what an Olympic sport is all about.

"We've got all the qualities and tick all the boxes and we deserve that spot. Hopefully the IOC will see the display here and will give us a second chance."

Duncalf, the former world No2 who was also making her maiden appearance on the Glasgow glass court, said: "I knew it was going to be a tough match and I was looking forward to playing on the glass for the first time. I thought I played well - it's the best I've felt on court for a long time - so it was disappointing to lose in front of this great crowd. I would love to have sneaked the first game."

When asked what sets David apart from her fellow players, Duncalf responded: "The amount of balls she picks up - and her mental resolve. But she's not unbeatable, she is human!

"Now I can look forward to the doubles," concluded the 31-year-old. "We're number one seeds so I hope to get a medal there."

King claimed her anticipated semi-final slot after beating Northern Ireland veteran Madeline Perry, the 37-year-old No7 seed, 11-6, 11-4, 11-6.

"I thought it was a really complete performance," said King. "I let it slip a little bit yesterday in terms of concentration and I was really happy that that only happened for maybe two points at the start of the third.

"Madeline was tenacious and fought back and I'm just really glad I was able to hold my concentration, hold on to what I was trying to do and finish it in three.

"She's a very tough competitor, she's been on the tour a long time and won major events so she's no mug and I'm just really happy."

On her meeting with David, the Kiwi said: "I'm just feeling really good out there. Whoever I play, I've just got to concentrate on what I'm trying to do.

"When I focus on that, and play how I want to play, I think I can beat anyone.

"I just want to come back tomorrow and do the same thing I've done today!"

Perry, who boasted a 5-2 head-to-head lead over King before the match, admitted: "I really struggled with the court today. Joelle was playing really well and I never got to do what I wanted to do.

"I thought I had a good chance but I couldn't find any rhythm today."

Perry was being coached by her doubles partner Michael Craig, aged just 18: "I was really listening to him: what he told me made a lot of sense. It'll probably be different in the doubles where I'll tell him what to do!"

 

Day 3

Yuen Gate-Crashes Commonwealth Games Quarter-Finals

Just 24 hours after eighth seed Ong Beng Hee crashed out of the opening round of the Commonwealth Games Squash event in Glasgow, fellow Malaysian Ivan Yuen restored the country's place in the men's quarter-finals after upsetting Botswana's No6 seed Alister Walker in the last 16 round on the all-glass showcourt at Scotstoun Sports Campus.

"That was one of my best matches - I'm really happy," said the 23-year-old from Kuala Lumpur after his 11-8, 9-11, 11-2, 11-8 victory - his first ever over the world No24. "When I was leading, I thought 'this time I have a chance'. I stayed focussed, telling myself to play my own game.

"I was quite relaxed, I think the pressure was on him.

"It's my first time in the quarters - one of the best results of my career," added the world No72.

"Beng Hee is my doubles partner. I feel bad for him that he didn't make the quarters, but I feel good that I have been able to take his place."

Yuen will be joined by compatriots Nicol David and Low Wee Wern in the women's quarter-finals, while Chris Simpson, from Guernsey, and Saurav Ghosal and Dipika Pallikal, of India, will be marking their countries' first appearances in the Commonwealth Games' last eight round.

But England boast the lion's share of the quarter-final slots - with gold medallist Nick Matthew, James Willstrop and Peter Barker in the men's draw and world champion Laura Massaro, Alison Waters and Jenny Duncalf in the women's.

Top seed Matthew disappointed the near capacity crowd by despatching top-ranked Scot Alan Clyne on the day that both players were celebrating birthdays.

"It's so bizarre that we have the same birthday and then play in the Commonwealth Games on that day," said 34-year-old Matthew after his 11-4, 11-5, 11-8 win. "It's freaky!

"I got the job done," continued the Yorkshireman. "He was playing his best stuff at the end there and I've not had a match of that quality for a while. Even with the injury, our season ended in May so it was May since my last game in front of a crowd like this, so it will stand me in good stead for the rest of the tournament.

"The last few days I've had the flag-bearing; on Thursday it was my 100th cap; and today my birthday. Hopefully there's nothing on Saturday! I'm ready to focus on the squash now."

Matthew will face Simpson for a place in the semi-finals.

"I know Chris well. We share a coach, David Pearson, and he trains in Harrogate so I know him very well. He'll be hungry. He just missed out on the England team and he's playing for Guernsey. He carried the flag as well so he will be up for it and it should be a great match."

Seventh seed Simpson saw off Ryan Cuskelly, the No11 seed from Australia, 11-6, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7 in an 85-minute marathon.

"It was a very tense match - there was a lot of to'ing and fro'ing in the match. There was an injury break in the fourth after I accidentally trod on his toe which I think aggravated an earlier injury. I was starting to get back in to the match and it ruined my momentum, but then I had a good finish.

"I was very nervous this morning, thinking about the expectations of my country after carrying the flag at the Opening Ceremony - what if I dropped out without even getting the chance to get on the glass court?

"It's a real relief to know that my next match is on the glass court - now I can allow myself to go and see what the setup looks like," explained the world No23. "I refrained from doing so until I'd earned my place on it!

"Playing here is not just about being in the Commonwealth Games, but about representing Guernsey. For such a small country, Guernsey are doing a great job in supporting us over here."

Londoner Alison Waters earned her second successive appearance in the quarter-finals after beating experienced Australian Rachael Grinham 11-5, 2-11, 14-12, 11-9.

"That was very tough," said the No4 seed. "Rachael played really well - I had to dig deep in the third.

"You don't get many last 16 matches in front of a crowd like this. It was a great feeling when you walk into the arena."

Women's gold medallist Nicol David defeated Megan Craig, a 21-year-old New Zealander making her first international appearance in Europe, 11-7, 11-6, 11-5.

"It was amazing - the best experience of my life, for sure," said the 16th seed Kiwi. "You couldn't ask for more: playing on an all-glass court, in front of this amazing crowd, and against the number one in the world - it just doesn't get any better. It's so good for squash.

"Getting selected to be here has been my biggest goal for a long time - and I guess the next will be to break into the world's top 30 and winning some big events. I really want squash to be in the Olympics - I could be in my prime then!

"I'm now looking forward to playing in the doubles. I'm playing with Kylie Lindsay and we meet Nicol and (Low) Wee Wern in the first round. We played them recently and lost by just one point!"

New Zealand will be represented in both quarter-finals - by third seed Joelle King in the women's and Campbell Grayson in the men's. 12th seed Grayson ended unseeded Zambian Kelvin Ndhlovu's run, winning 11-4, 11-6, 11-4, while King defeated India's Joshana Chinappa 11-3, 11-8, 8-11, 11-5.

"I'm glad to get through that one. I started off really well and had a patch where Joshana really came back and had a bit of momentum but I relaxed again in the fourth and got the win," said world No4 King.

"The crowd was amazing - I had butterflies in my stomach coming out there. The court is probably one of the best courts I've ever played on.

"I guess it is the biggest event of my career. I've probably been preparing since I lost in the quarter-finals in the singles last time."

Cameron Pilley carried Australian interest through to the men's last eight after beating Scot Greg Lobban 11-6, 11-4, 11-6.

"I made it this far four years ago but need to look forward to a good win tomorrow to give myself medal chances.

"The atmosphere here is amazing - just unbelievable. It's like a Coliseum - like playing in a pit of Scots! Hopefully the crowd will switch their allegiances to me tomorrow!"

Pilley will line up against England's Peter Barker, bronze medallist in 2010.

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Ivan Yuen (Mas) Into Q-Finals With Surprise Win Over Alister Walker (Bot)


Laura Massaro (Eng) and Nicol David (Mas) Safely Through



Joele King (Eng) Also Through To Q-Finals


Alan Clyne (Sco) Goes Out To Nick Matthew (Eng) Following His Epic Win Yesterday Against Sindhu (Ind)
 

Jenny Duncalf (Eng)


Alison Waters (Eng)

 

Peter Barker (Eng) 3rd Round Win Over Mahesh Mangaonkar (Ind)

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"It was a relief when I saw the draw and realised I wasn't in the same quarter as one of the top two seeds," continued Pilley. "But Pete is a good player who has beaten me the last five or six times."

Madeline Perry, one of a handful of players celebrating a fifth successive appearance in the Games, takes Northern Ireland interest into the quarters for the third time in a row after an 11-4, 10-12, 11-8, 11-5 win over Australian Kasey Brown.

"Delhi was stressful for me - so it's all about enjoying it this time," said the 37-year-old world No11 from Belfast. "I've always struggled with Kasey - she's beaten me a good few times. But today I felt I was in control of most of the rallies.

"I tore my adductor a few months ago which knocked me back a bit - and it's only the last month or so that I've felt normal!

"Retirement? I think I said it after the last three Commonwealth Games - and I'm still here. But I think this will definitely be my last Games!"

Ghosal made his Games breakthrough following an 86-minute win over Australian Steven Finitsis.

"I played pretty well in the first two games but Steve did fantastically well to take the next two," said the world No4 seed from Kolkata after his 11-2, 11-5, 4-11, 6-11, 11-8 victory.

"It was neck and neck in the fifth - I was 7-6 down but managed to string together four or five points in a row to take the match.

"Winning a match like that is physically demanding, but it gives you a lot of confidence mentally," Ghosal continued. "I have really been focussing on the Commonwealth Games for the last six or seven months. I am very happy to be the first Indian to make the quarter-finals."
 

Day 2

Home Hero Clyne Clings On In Glasgow

The longest match on the opening day of Squash action in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow produced one of the most popular wins when Scottish number one Alan Clyne battled back from 2/1 down on the all-glass showcourt at Scotstoun Sports Campus to beat Indian Harinder Pal Sandhu to claim a place in the last 16.

A disputed no let call on match ball - upheld by the fourth referee after lengthy consideration - gave victory to the ninth seed from Edinburgh 12-14, 11-9, 13-15, 11-1, 11-9 after 116 minutes.

The top 16 seeds, led by Malaysia's defending champion Nicol David, moved comfortably into the last 16 of the women's event.

The near capacity crowd of some 2,000 fans cheered on every winning point by Clyne before erupting in sheer jubilation when the central referee confirmed his triumph.

"Was it really 60 seconds - it felt more like five minutes," joked the 27-year-old world No35 when asked what he was thinking about while the final decision was being.

"There wasn't much in it - the crowd probably made the difference," acknowledged Clyne.

Sandhu said: "My goal now is the next Commonwealth Games in 2018. Most of the top players now won't be playing anymore - my age will be in my favour."

Scot Clyne now faces defending top-seeded Englishman Nick Matthew, the reigning gold medallist who beat Jamaican underdog Christopher Binnie 11-4, 11-8, 11-4.

"I wasn't expected to win - but I wanted to compete," said US-based Binnie, the 25-year-old Caribbean champion who is fighting back to form after a six-month layoff following hip surgery.

Within hours of producing the upset of the tournament when he overcame eighth seed Ong Beng Hee, Zambian Kelvin Ndhlovu became the only unseeded player in the men's last 16 when he beat Joe Chapman, of the British Virgin Islands, 11-6, 10-12, 11-0, 12-10.

"I knew my preparation was good," said the unranked 28-year-old South Africa-based Zambian.

Alister Walker became the first Botswana player ever to reach the last 16 when he beat Cameron Stafford, of the Cayman Islands, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5.

"I was much more nervous before my first match than I expected to be," said sixth seed Walker. "It's the whole expectation - more so back in your own country than there is for the Tour events we play. I'm hoping my matches will be shown on TV back in southern Africa - which would be a first.

"I'm dying to get onto the glass court - which I will tomorrow.

"It's easy when you're from Botswana - every step is history!"

Only hours after having the honour of being one of six sporting icons chosen to carry the Commonwealth Games flag into the arena during the Opening Ceremony, Malaysia's world No1 Nicol David successfully began the defence of the women's title with an 11-6, 11-2, 11-1 win over Vanessa Florens, from Mauritius.

"It was an unbelievable experience - and I wouldn't have missed it for the world," said David. "Representing Asia and carrying the Commonwealth Games flag with some of my greatest sporting heroes was phenomenal. Just thinking about it gives me goose-bumps.

"It was a dream to win the gold medal for Malaysia last year."

England's world No2 Laura Massaro, David's anticipated opponent in Monday's final, also despatched her first round opponent in straight games, seeing off 16-year-old Papua New Guinean Lynette Vai 11-2, 11-4, 11-1.

"It was unbelievable for a first round match - an unbelievable atmosphere. I think I'm playing OK.

"For squash players, there are three major titles they want - the British Open, the World Open and the Commonwealth Games - and I'm lucky enough to have won two of them so this is the one I now want. The Commonwealth Games doesn't come round very often," said Massaro.
 

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Massaro (above) and David (Below) Safely Through



Clyne Wins Marathon Match Against Sandhu

Matthew (above) and Willstrop (below) Through To Round 3

Day 1

Beng Hee Bows Out At Glasgow 2014

Eighth seed Ong Beng Hee, the former world No7 from Malaysia making a record-equalling fifth successive appearance in the Commonwealth Games, bowed out in the opening round of the Glasgow 2014 Games today after losing in four games to unranked Zambian Kelvin Ndhlovu.

Suffering with flu and a shadow of his usual self, Beng Hee did his best to withstand the determined attack of South Africa-based Ndhlovu in the last 64 round at Scotstoun Sports Campus in Glasgow. But the unheralded 28-year-old held his nerve to produce the upset of the round, winning 11-7, 11-2, 9-11, 11-5 in 35 minutes.

"I've been struggling with a knee problem for a few weeks and then a few days ago was struck down with a fever and just haven't been able to practise - in fact today's the first time I've been to the venue," explained a distraught Beng Hee afterwards. "But well done to Kelvin - I've never seen him play before but he deserved the win.

"I'm very sad - you look forward to something like this every four years and not to be able prepare and then perform is very disappointing. But at least I have the Asian Games still to go this year. At least I can now prepare for that.

"But I've still got the doubles here - though I've never played men's doubles before," added the 34-year-old, a silver and bronze medallist in the mixed doubles.

Ndhlovu was delighted with his breakthrough success: "I'm really happy about that - it was a big win, the biggest of my career and I'm very proud.

"I had some good wins last week in South Africa, where I am based, which was good preparation," added the Gauteng-based Zambian. "I lost easily in my first appearance in the Games four years ago - but I came into this with a different mind-set - I was much more motivated.

"But I was really nervous when I walked in. I then got too tense when I was ahead in the third game, and he came back strongly to take the game. I really didn't expect to win - I have got no idea who I'm playing next!"

Three-time world champion Nick Matthew, who only hours earlier had led Team England into the Opening Ceremony as his country's flag-bearer, successfully began the defence of his gold medal with an 11-3, 11-3, 11-1 win over Xavier Koenig of Mauritius.

"He had a good array of shots - and that's what I wanted, to get rid of the cobwebs," said 33-year-old Matthew, the world No2.

"After last night's massive high, I got to bed around midnight and was up at eight o'clock."

The opening match on the venue's spectacular showcourt was watched by an exuberant near capacity crowd surrounding the all-glass court.

"It was just good to come out to such an amazing response - it's more like a finals crowd than a first round! I've had a long career and played in some amazing venues, but never experienced a first round crowd like that."

The Yorkshireman was also celebrating his 100th cap for England. "To be honest, I was originally a bit disappointed when I knew my last England match - when I beat world number one Greg Gaultier in the European Championship final - was my 99th cap, as it was such a big game.

"I expected this to be relatively low-key - but it was far from it!

"I'm feeling good being back on court after the knee surgery. My back-up team, with England physio Jade here with me, are looking after me well."

Games debutant Koenig, playing on the biggest stage of his life, was pleased with his performance: "I wanted to get a least two points - I had to try everything. He was very kind to me - but I was so relieved to get that first point! I studied in Perth, Australia, for six years so that's where my squash improved."

The sensational crowd became even more vocal when local hero Alan Clyne, the Scottish number one ranked 35 in the world, despatched his first opponent Kevin Hannaway, from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 11-1, 11-2, 11-2.

"The crowd reaction was pretty incredible - I didn't expect it to be like this!" said the ninth seed from Edinburgh. "When I first came out, I had goose-bumps. But I could see from the warm-up that he was a good player.

"I've never played in front of a home crowd like this - in fact the first time was only a month ago when I played a small Tour event in Inverness - but it was nothing like on this scale! I wanted to play good squash today and I think I did that."

Click on Images for Larger View

Ong Beng Hee Goes Out In First Round Upset


Opening Ceremony Images














Second seed James Willstrop, the world No6 expected to meet Matthew in the second successive all-English men's final, also had a straightforward opening round win on the all-glass court, seeing off Bermuda's Nicholas Kyme 11-4, 11-3, 11-4.

"The atmosphere here was unbelievable - a lot of big finals wouldn't get this," said the former world number one from Harrogate later. "It's great for the game and it's wonderful to be involved - I'm trying to soak up every minute.

"The Commonwealth Games? It doesn't come any better than this - it's quite exceptional what Glasgow has been doing."

Like all the men's last 64 round winners, Willstrop will go on to play a further match today to qualify for Thursday's fourth round.

"It's long time since I've played two matches in day - back in the days of the Under-12s - it's quite rare!"

Games debutant Alister Walker celebrated the first ever Botswana win in the Commonwealth Games when he beat Sri Lanka's Dilshan Gunawardena 11-5, 11-4, 11-2. US-based Walker, the sixth seed who switched nationality from England to the country of his birth three years ago, will now face Cameron Stafford, of the Cayman Islands, for a place in the last 16.

 


One Million Viewers Watch Squash Finals In Glasgow

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."
 
Previews

Squash Flagged Up By Commonwealth Games

Squash is basking in the glory of having three of its elite athletes chosen to be flag-bearers at the opening ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow tomorrow evening.

After Malaysian superstar and women's world number one Nicol David was given the honour of leading the eight Asian countries into the arena, world No20 Chris Simpson was elected the Guernsey flag-bearer - then this afternoon it was revealed that Team England's athletes had voted three-time world champion Nick Matthew to carry his country's flag!

"It's a great honour to be chosen to carry the flag by this incredibly talented team of athletes from Team England," said Matthew, the 33-year-old world No2 from Sheffield who is seeded to retain both the Men's Singles and Men's Doubles gold medals he won in Delhi in 2010.

"The Commonwealth Games is a pinnacle for squash players in a multi-sport Games environment, and I feel extremely proud to represent all the different sports and athletes here as we unite as Team England.

"I can't wait to share that very special moment with the whole of Team England before we get down to the business of bringing home the medals for our country."

Nicol David, winner of the Women's Singles gold medal four years ago and now competing in a record-equalling fifth successive Games, has topped the world rankings unopposed since August 2006. "I feel privileged and honoured to lead the Asian continent in the Commonwealth Games," said the record seven times world champion on hearing the news.

Simpson, Guernsey's highest-ranked squash player of all-time, said: "I feel very proud and honoured to be Guernsey's flag bearer at tomorrow's Opening Ceremony."

World Squash Federation President N Ramachandran could not hide his delight at the recognition achieved by the trio: "It is a great honour for our sport that three squash players will be carrying the flag of their country at the Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony.

"We are very proud of them, and their selection shows just how highly esteemed Nicol, Nick and Chris are by their nations."

British rowing icon Sir Matthew Pinsent was one of the first to offer his congratulations to Matthew: "Congrats to @nickmatthew squash - wonderful choice for ENG flag bearer," tweeted the four-time Olympic gold medallist.

Squash Elite Head For Glasgow 2014

The eyes of the Squash world will be sharply focussed on Glasgow over the next two weeks when the sport's elite challenge for medals in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland.

Players from 31 nations - led by 'giants' England, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and India, but also including 'minnows' like Norfolk Islands, Mauritius and Papua New Guinea - will compete in five disciplines, including men's and women's singles, and men's, women's and mixed doubles.

Squash, a core Commonwealth Games sport, is celebrating its fifth appearance in the Games after making its debut in Malaysia in 1998.

England are expected to head the medals table for the second time in a row - with world No2 Nick Matthew, the three-time world champion from Sheffield, seeded to retain both his men's singles and men's doubles gold medals, thereby emulating the four-gold-medal record of legendary compatriot Peter Nicol.

Nicol David, the 30-year-old from Penang celebrating a record-equalling fifth successive appearance in the Games, is firm favourite to retain the women's singles gold medal for Malaysia. But the world No1 since August 2006 will face determined opposition from England's world No2 Laura Massaro, the reigning world champion from Preston.

Massaro is seeded to win her first gold medal in the women's doubles, where she is partnered by former world No2 Jenny Duncalf, from Yorkshire - the silver medal pairing in Delhi in 2010.

Australia, who topped the medals table in 1998 and 2006, have lured David Palmer out of retirement to make a fifth successive appearance in the Games. The 38-year-old former world No1 and world champion partners world No20 Cameron Pilley in the men's doubles - bidding for a record seventh medal, but a first gold.

Pilley and Kasey Brown are seeded to provide Australia's sole gold medal in the mixed doubles, retaining the title the pair won in Delhi.

New Zealand, top of the 2002 medals table in Manchester after winning women's and mixed doubles gold, will be hoping for repeat double-medal success in Delhi for Joelle King. The 25-year-old world No4 is seeded to retain silver with Martin Knight in the mixed doubles, and earn a first singles medal with women's bronze.

India has its best chance to break into the Commonwealth Games medal table for the first time. World No16 Saurav Ghosal, the country's highest-ranked player of all-time, is fourth seed in the men's singles - where he will hope to deny England a medal clean sweep for the second time in a row - while he and Dipika Pallikal are seeded five in the mixed doubles.

Scotland will be looking to doubles specialists Alan Clyne & Harry Leitch to help the hosts make the medals table for the first time since 1998. Clyne & Leitch lost the bronze medal play-off in 2010 - and are seeded fourth this time around.

The sport's oldest competitor at Glasgow 2014 is Duncan Gray who represents Norfolk Island in the doubles - while Malta provides the youngest player, 15-year-old women's singles and doubles entrant Kimberley Borg-Cauchi.

Glasgow 2014 squash action takes place at the Scotstoun Sports Campus - with Singles from 24-28 July, followed by Doubles from 29 July to 3 August.

 

Champions Meet Mauritians In Commonwealth Games Draws

A pair of players from the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius will provide the first challenge to gold medallists Nick Matthew and Nicol David in the draws for the 2014 Commonwealth Games Squash singles events next week in Glasgow, which are revealed today by the World Squash Federation.

Englishman Matthew, the reigning and three-time World Champion from Sheffield who struck gold in the Men's Singles and Men's Doubles in the 2010 Games in Delhi, will begin his title defence against Xavier Koenig, a 29-year-old Mauritian making his Games debut.

Nicol David, the women's world No1 since August 2006 who is celebrating a record-equalling fifth successive appearance in the Games since 1998, lines up against Vanessa Florens, a 34-year-old from Mauritius who also competed in the 2006 Games in Melbourne.

Mauritius, with a population of just over 1 million, boasts only a handful of squash courts and neither Koenig nor Florens - the only two Mauritians competing in the squash events in Glasgow - have ever been world-ranked.

Top seed Matthew, ranked two in the world and aged 33, is expected to meet Guernsey's world No23 Chris Simpson, the No7 seed, in the quarter-finals before a predicted clash with England team-mate Peter Barker, the third seed and bronze medallist in 2010, in the semi-finals.

Second seed James Willstrop is Matthew's anticipated opponent in a repeat of the 2010 all-English final. Willstrop, also a Yorkshireman, from Harrogate, begins his third Commonwealth Games campaign against Bermuda's Nicholas Kyme, a 33-year-old Games veteran since 2002. 30-year-old Willstrop, a former world No1 currently ranked six in the world, is drawn to meet Botswana Games debutant Alister Walker in the quarter-finals before a semi-final battle with former Pontefract club-mate Saurav Ghosal, the No4 seed from India.

In the women's event, 30-year-old Penangite David is expected to renew her career-long rivalry with England's No8 seed Jenny Duncalf in the quarter-finals in what would be a repeat of the Delhi final. Third-seeded New Zealander Joelle King, a double medallist in Delhi, is predicted to be David's semi-final opponent.

The climax is expected to be a repeat of the last two British Open finals between David and Laura Massaro, the World Champion from England who is the event's No2 seed. Massaro first meets Lynette Vai, a Games debutante from Papua New Guinea playing the biggest match of her life three days after her 16th birthday.

Awaiting Massaro in the quarter-finals should be Malaysian Low Wee Wern, the fifth seed, with fourth-seeded England team-mate Alison Waters her likely opponent in the semis.

Pools have also been set in the Men's, Women's and Mixed Doubles events - for details, see below.

Glasgow 2014 squash action takes place at the Scotstoun Sports Campus - with Singles from 24-28 July, followed by Doubles from 29 July to 3 August.

Official event website: www.worldmasterssquash.com.hk
 



Graingers On Course For World Masters
Family Double In Hong Kong

At opposite ends of the age range, former world No1 Natalie Grainger and her mother Jean Grainger are on course for a family double at the WSF World Masters Squash Championships in Hong Kong.

More than 750 players from all corners of the globe are competing in 18 World Masters events - from Men's and Women's Over-35 through to Men's Over-80 categories - with action split between the Hong Kong Squash Centre and Hong Kong Football Club.

In today's semi-finals of the Women's Over-35 event, USA-based top seed Natalie brushed aside South African Farrah Fenner 11-6, 12-10, 11-9 to set up a final against second-seeded Australian Melissa Martin.

Meanwhile favourite Jean downed fellow South African Dawn Kaiser to reach the Over-70 final where she will take on compatriot Sheena Worwood in a bid to win her fourth World Masters title after successes at O55, O60 and O65.

Australian Brian Cook put paid to the chances of a Grainger treble when he defeated Jean's husband Chris Grainger 11-8, 10-12, 11-4, 12-10 in today's Men's Over-65 semi-finals. Top seed Cook will now face surprise opponent Frikkie Bester, a 3/4 seed from South Africa, in the final.


Chris Grainger
flanked by daughter Natalie and wife Jean

But Over-35 underdog Melissa Martin will also have a family double on her mind while her top-seeded husband Brett Martin is still in the running for the Men's Over-50 title. The former world No2, competing in his first Masters championship, despatched England's Eamonn Price in today's quarter-finals and will now meet Singapore's Peter Hill for a place in the final.

Australian Dave Fuller became the only unseeded player to survive today's action unscathed. The 55-year-old ousted England's 9/16 seed Dermot Hurford in the Men's Over-55 quarter-finals and will now face fellow Australian Geoffrey Davenport - the top seed who boasts two World titles at both Over-45 and Over-50 - for a place in the final.

Official event website: www.worldmasterssquash.com.hk
 

Frania Aiming For Glasgow Hurrah

Frania Gillen-Buchert couldn’t resist the lure of one final appearance in the Commonwealth Games after being given the chance to represent Scotland on home soil this summer.

The 32-year-old – who was born in South Africa but moved to Scotland with her father at the age of 14 – has come out of retirement in order to compete in both the mixed and women’s doubles in Glasgow.

The 60-cap international didn’t think she would have another chance of competing at such a level again after taking over a year off in 2012, but several recent results have convinced her to take part in her third Games.

“When I originally ‘retired’ we were less than two years away from the Commonwealth Games,” Gillen-Buchert said.  “I still showed up for training, though – old habits die hard!

”I had maintained my fitness, which is essential for squash.  Also, looking back, I still had a little unfinished business from Delhi [she and Lisa Aitken were beaten in the quarter-finals of the women’s doubles] and in March 2013, when Alan Clyne and I won the British Doubles Championship, I got the result I needed to make my up mind up. If I committed to going to Glasgow, I wanted to go there to be competitive.”

She then followed up with two runner-up places in this year’s British Open Doubles Championships in January with Alex Clark in the women’s doubles and Clyne in the mixed.

Gillen-Buchert will again partner Clark and Clyne in Glasgow, and she believes home support will help them in their bid to win Scotland’s first squash medals since the sport’s debut in 1998, when Peter Nicol struck gold in the men’s singles and bronze with Stuart Cowie in the men’s doubles.

“All that positive cheering will be for Scotland,” she said.  “The home Games experience will be amazing and will be the pinnacle of my squash career.  I can’t wait to hear the home crowd cheering for us.

“As I technically retired, I don’t feel as much pressure and I think that this has contributed to the good results we have been getting.

“I know that I have put years of hard work in, so I’m looking forward to hopefully producing some of my best squash. If I win gold, then I’d die a very happy lady.”

 

Glasgow 2014 Top Squash Seeds Revealed

England's Nick Matthew is expected to repeat his double gold success in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland next month according to the seedings for the five Squash events at Glasgow 2014 announced today by the World Squash Federation.

The reigning and three-time World Champion from Sheffield struck gold in the Men's Singles and Men's Doubles in Delhi in 2010 - and is predicted to repeat his success with Londoner Adrian Grant in the doubles and become the first man to retain his title in the singles.

Matthew, ranked two in the world, is currently working through an intensive rehabilitation programme following minor surgery on his right knee last week to repair a small tear in the meniscus.

The singles seedings predict a repeat of the all-English men's final between Matthew and fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop, the world No6 from Harrogate - whilst the men's doubles seedings forecast the fifth successive England/Australia climax since the sport's Commonwealth Games debut in Malaysia in 1998.

The third seed in the men's singles is also an Englishman, Londoner Peter Barker - whilst Saurav Ghosal is in a strong position to become India's first ever Commonwealth Games squash medallist as the No4 seed.

Distinguished Australian David Palmer, a four-time British Open and twice World Open champion, has come out of retirement to make a rare fifth successive appearance in the Games in Glasgow. The US-based 37-year-old, winner of six medals, will be aiming for his first gold in partnerships with world No19 Cameron Pilley in the Men's Doubles and fellow former world No1 Rachael Grinham in the Mixed Doubles.

Malaysia's Nicol David will also be celebrating a fifth Games appearance in Glasgow, where she is seeded to retain her Women's Singles gold medal. The 30-year-old from Penang, who has topped the world rankings since August 2006, is expected to face English rival Laura Massaro, the world No2 from Preston, in the final.

Australasia interest in the women's singles is led by Joelle King, the No3 seed from New Zealand, while India's Dipika Pallikal will make her debut in the event as sixth seed.

Massaro, silver medallist with Jenny Duncalf in the 2010 Women's Doubles, will again partner the former world No2 from Yorkshire in Glasgow - where they are seeded to strike gold in a final against Australians Kasey Brown & Rachael Grinham. Brown was a medallist in all three events in Delhi, whilst 37-year-old Grinham achieved the same on home soil in 2006, including gold in the Women's Doubles.

Australians Kasey Brown & Cameron Pilley are seeded to hold onto their Mixed Doubles gold medal in a repeat of the 2010 final against New Zealanders Joelle King & Martin Knight.

The Singles events take place at the Scotstoun Sports Campus from 24-28 July, followed by Women's, Men's and Mixed Doubles from 29 July to 3 August.
 

 

Top Squash Seeds Revealed

England's Nick Matthew is expected to repeat his double gold success in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Scotland next month according to the seedings for the five Squash events at Glasgow 2014 announced today by the World Squash Federation.

The reigning and three-time World Champion from Sheffield struck gold in the Men's Singles and Men's Doubles in Delhi in 2010 - and is predicted to repeat his success with Londoner Adrian Grant in the doubles and become the first man to retain his title in the singles.

Matthew, ranked two in the world, is currently working through an intensive rehabilitation programme following minor surgery on his right knee last week to repair a small tear in the meniscus.

The singles seedings predict a repeat of the all-English men's final between Matthew and fellow Yorkshireman James Willstrop, the world No6 from Harrogate - whilst the men's doubles seedings forecast the fifth successive England/Australia climax since the sport's Commonwealth Games debut in Malaysia in 1998.

The third seed in the men's singles is also an Englishman, Londoner Peter Barker - whilst Saurav Ghosal is in a strong position to become India's first ever Commonwealth Games squash medallist as the No4 seed.

Distinguished Australian David Palmer, a four-time British Open and twice World Open champion, has come out of retirement to make a rare fifth successive appearance in the Games in Glasgow. The US-based 37-year-old, winner of six medals, will be aiming for his first gold in partnerships with world No19 Cameron Pilley in the Men's Doubles and fellow former world No1 Rachael Grinham in the Mixed Doubles.

Malaysia's Nicol David will also be celebrating a fifth Games appearance in Glasgow, where she is seeded to retain her Women's Singles gold medal. The 30-year-old from Penang, who has topped the world rankings since August 2006, is expected to face English rival Laura Massaro, the world No2 from Preston, in the final.

Australasia interest in the women's singles is led by Joelle King, the No3 seed from New Zealand, while India's Dipika Pallikal will make her debut in the event as sixth seed.

Massaro, silver medallist with Jenny Duncalf in the 2010 Women's Doubles, will again partner the former world No2 from Yorkshire in Glasgow - where they are seeded to strike gold in a final against Australians Kasey Brown & Rachael Grinham. Brown was a medallist in all three events in Delhi, whilst 37-year-old Grinham achieved the same on home soil in 2006, including gold in the Women's Doubles.

Australians Kasey Brown & Cameron Pilley are seeded to hold onto their Mixed Doubles gold medal in a repeat of the 2010 final against New Zealanders Joelle King & Martin Knight.

The Singles events take place at the Scotstoun Sports Campus from 24-28 July, followed by Women's, Men's and Mixed Doubles from 29 July to 3 August.

 

2014 Commonwealth Games Squash
Top 8 Seeds
Complete draws will be published on 17 July.

Men's Singles:
1 Nick Matthew (ENG)
2 James Willstrop (ENG)
3 Peter Barker (ENG)
4 Saurav Ghosal (IND)
5 Cameron Pilley (AUS)
6 Alister Walker (BOT)
7 Chris Simpson (GGY)
8 Ong Beng Hee (MAS)
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)
 
Women's Singles:
1 Nicol David (MAS)
2 Laura Massaro (ENG)
3 Joelle King (NZL)
4 Alison Waters (ENG)
5 Low Wee Wern (MAS)
6 Dipika Pallikal (IND)
7 Madeline Perry (NIR)
8 Jenny Duncalf (ENG)
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)
 
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)