A close defeat at the hands of Malaysia on the second day of play in their opening group match in the second stage of the Women’s Team event, Australia responded in style on the third day of play, Thursday 21st May 2009.

In impressive manner they beat England by three matches to nil to keep their medal hopes alive at the Scotstoun Leisure Centre in Glasgow.

Maio Maio, Stephanie Xu and Peri Campbell-Innes were well aware that defeat would end medal aspirations.

They responded and they responded in style.

Opening Duel
In the opening encounter, Joanna Parker, a young lady who is certainly improving both her defensive skills and her ability to attack quickly when the chance arise, caused Maio Miao problems.

However, against the backspin art, Miao Miao, using short pimples on both sides of the racket, is one of best female players in the world.

Gradually, her consistency, her fast attacks with minimal topspin told; she prevailed in four games.

No Birthday Present
The early advantage to Australia, Stephanie Xu was not in charitable mood against Kelly Sibley and she offered the English star no gifts. On her 21st birthday, Kelly Sibley experienced a three games to nil reverse; a contest in which the first two games were decided by the very narrowest of margins.

Australia in the driving seat Peri Campbell-Innes brought matters to a conclusion.

Experience
Against 18 year old Hannah Hicks she recovered from an opening game deficit to secure victory.

For both teams in stage two, it was one win, one defeat; on the previous day England had beaten New Zealand by three matches to nil.

Success for Australia and also in the counterpart group success for India; having beaten Wales by three matches to nil on the second day of action; hey continued their impressive form to record the same verdict against Canada.

India in Form
The trio of Poulomi Ghatak, Moumas Das and Shamini Kumaresan proved too strong for Sara Yuen, Zhang Mo and Yulia Degtar; a three-nil result was the order of the day.

It is a result that means the medal hopes of Canada disappear; in their previous second stage match they lost to Singapore by three matches to one.

Format
The top two teams in each group compete for the gold medal, the second placed teams receive bronze; the third placed teams dispute 5th and 6th places whilst the fourth placed teams play for 7th and 8th places.

Image by Ayoade Ademakinwa