Singapore dominated the Women’s Team at the Commonwealth Championships in Glasgow, clinching gold on Friday 22nd May; one day later on Saturday 23rd May 2009, their players were once again in fine form.

In the Women’s Singles event only Isabelle Li suffered defeat; the 14 year old rising defensive star was beaten by the impressive Malaysian, Ng Sock Khim; the one player who had posed a threat to Singapore in the Women’s Team event by extending Wang Yue Gu, the full five games distance.

In the opening round of the Women’s Singles competition there were no such troubles for Wang Yue Gu, seeded no.1, she beat Canada’s Stephanie Yuen in four straight games; matches in the singles events being best of seven games.

Colleagues Succeed
Success in style for Wang Yue Gu and that was also the case for Sun Bei Bei (seeded no.2), Yu Meng Yu (seeded no.3) and Zena Sim, like Isabelle Li, a defender.

Sen Bei Bei defeated Guernsey’s Dawn Morgan, Yu Meng Yu overcame New Zealand’s Sara Ho, whilst Zena Sim ended the hopes of New Zealand’s Sun Yang.

Success for the gold medallists in the Women’s Team event and there was also success for those players from countries who gained bronze and silver.

Malaysia
In addition to Ng Sock Khim; Chiu Soo Jiin and Beh Lee Wei who had earned the silver medal in the Women’s Team event for Malaysia, emerged victorious.

Chiu Soo Jiin defeated Australia’s Peri Campbell-Innes whilst Beh Lee Wei ended the progress of England’s Karina Le Fevre.

Similarly for bronze medallists India and Australia, there was success.

India and Australia
India’s Mouma Das ended the hopes of Hannah Hicks and Poulomi Ghatak defeated Northern Ireland’s Amanda Mogey; whilst for Australia, Miao Miao, seeded no.4, accounted for Scotland’s Corrina Whittaker and Stephanie Xu ended the hopes of Canada’s Sara Yuen.

Defeat for Canada but there was success, Zhang Mo overcame Malaysia’s Fan Xiao Jun to keep the Maple Leaf flag flying; whilst Ireland’s Liu Na, Naomi Owen of Wales plus the duo of Kelly Sibley and Joanna Parker maintained the dignity of the Union Jack.

British Players Succeed
Joanna Parker, Liu Na and Naomi Owen defeated Indian opposition in the respective guise of Shamini Kumaresan, Madhurika Patkar and Neha Aggawarl whilst Kelly Sibley halted the journey of Canada’s Yulia Degtiar.

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

Gao Ning and Sun Bei Bei booked their semi-final place without ever being seriously threatened as did Yang Zi and Wang Yue Gu.

Seeded no.1 Gao Ning and Sun Bei Bei recorded a quarter-final victory over England’s Paul Drinkhall and Joanna Parker, whilst Yang Zi and Wang Yue Gu, the defending champions and no.2 seeds, also broke English hearts.

They beat Darius Knight and Kelly Sibley.

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

The Indians proved the surprise package of the event

In round two they defeated fourth seeded Singaporeans, Cai Xiao Li and Yu Meng Yu before ousting compatriot’s Sharath Kamal Achanta and Shamini Kumaresan to book their place in the semi-finals and thus be assured of a medal.