The stage has been set for an intriguing battle between India and England tonight in the team event of the Commonwealth Games.
In the other semifinals, neighbors Malaysia and Singapore will square off against each other.
In the quarterfinal ties played this morning, India defeated Canada 3-0 while England dropped a match in their a 3-1 win over Scotland. Malaysia too made short work of New Zealand winning 3-0 while Singapore did not have it too easy against a battling Australia, but eventually winning 3-1.
In the other semifinals, neighbors Malaysia and Singapore will square off against each other.
In the quarterfinal ties played this morning, India defeated Canada 3-0 while England dropped a match in their a 3-1 win over Scotland. Malaysia too made short work of New Zealand winning 3-0 while Singapore did not have it too easy against a battling Australia, but eventually winning 3-1.
England were given a scare in the very first match itself as their mixed doubles pairing of Nathan Robertson/Jenny Wallwork were taken to three sets by Scotland's Watson Briggs/Imogen Bankier before winning 21-14,15-21,21-7.
Rajiv Ouseph made short work of his match against Kieran Merrilees winning 21-9,21-18 to give England a 2-0 lead. But Elizabeth Cann could not deliver the winning point as she went down 12-21, 17-21 to Susan Egelstaff.
However England assured themselves of a place in the last four with doubles pair Anthony Clark/Chris Adcock getting the better of Paul van Rietvelde/Watson Briggs, winning 21-13,21-19.
India faced no such problems though as D.Viju/Jwala Gutta gave them a winning start in the mixed doubles over Toby Ng/Gao Grace, winning 21-8,21-12.
Up stepped Chetan Anand in the men's singles and he faced a tough opponent in David Snider but eventually prevailed winning 21-18,21-17. And Saina Nehwal had no problems disposing of the challenge of Anna Rice, winning 21-16,21-13.
“I played pretty well; and it was challenging as I have never played him before. I just had to get out there, be tough, and not take any prisoners,” said Snider.
“I had a good first set, but I feel the Indian players are struggling with the draft. I lost out on crucial points in the second set.”
The semis match between India and England will be interesting as there is little to separate the two teams.
India holds the edge in the mens and womens singles as Chetan Anand and Saina Nehwal are expected to deliver the two points against Rajiv Ouseph and Elizabeth Cann respectively. But in the doubles, England has the edge and that sets up the stage nicely for a battle royale.
In the Malaysia v New Zealand tie, the Kiwis conceded the mixed doubles with the score 11-5 of the Malaysian pair when Henry Tam suffered an injury.
India holds the edge in the mens and womens singles as Chetan Anand and Saina Nehwal are expected to deliver the two points against Rajiv Ouseph and Elizabeth Cann respectively. But in the doubles, England has the edge and that sets up the stage nicely for a battle royale.
In the Malaysia v New Zealand tie, the Kiwis conceded the mixed doubles with the score 11-5 of the Malaysian pair when Henry Tam suffered an injury.
Muhd Hafiz Hashim duly delivered the second point for Malaysia, winning 21-11,21-12 against Joe Wu while Lydia Cheah defeated Michelle Chan 21-12,21-11 to send Malaysia into the last four.
Malaysia opted to rest their top players for the semi final clash and coach Misbun Sidek said that Singapore are no pushovers.
“They have a good doubles pair in both the men's amd womens and can also snatch a point in the women's singles,” said Misbun.
