In a reversal of the last edition of Commonwealth Games badminton mixed team results, Malaysia defeated India, and Singapore got the better of England.
Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/ Chirag Shetty were India’s trump card in a historic Thomas Cup victory earlier this year. However, they were outplayed by Aaron Chia/ Soh Wooi Yik in the opening match. The Malaysian duo usually start slow and get fired up as the contest proceeds. However, they had laser-sharp focus right from the start and their attack found its mark time and again, discomforting the Indian players.
In the end, the Indian players got nervous and lost in straight games 21-18, 21-15.
Sindhu delivers, Srikanth falters
The former World champion and two-time Olympic medallist was the clear favourite against Goh Jin Wei. The resurgent Malaysian made it quite hard for Pusarla V. Sindhu, but the tall Indian was safely through 22-20, 21-17. The score levelled at 1-1.
In what was supposed to be an almost-assured win for India, an erroneous Kidambi Srikanth was unravelled by Ng Tze Yong. To his credit, the Malaysian youngster stepped up in Lee Zii Mia’s stead and delivered for the team. Having lost both his previous encounters in straight games, Tze Yong changed his strategy. Giving fewer attacking opportunities to the hard-hitting Indian did the trick. The match scoreline read 21-19, 6-21, 21-16.
The final step
The last match of the day went as predicted. There were no surprises as the electric Pearly Tan/ Thinaah Muralitharan quickly shattered India’s hopes to retain the title. Beating Treesa Jolly/ Gayathri Gopichand 21-18, 21-17, they led Malaysia to a 3-1 victory and fourth Commonwealth Games title.
Singapore avenges loss
Having lost the bronze medal to England four years ago, a more determined and well-balanced Singaporean squad made up for the loss.
With Marcus Ellis out of form, England’s gamble to pair Lauren Smith with Ben Lane in mixed doubles did not work. The couple Hee Yong Kai Terry/ Tan Wei Han remained unbeaten as they won the exciting opener 21-17, 25-23.
The men’s singles match between the world champion Loh Kean Yew and home lad Toby Penty turned into a titanic duel. While Kean Yew had lost 25-23 to Rajiv Ouseph in the decider four years ago, he won by the same margin today. An inspired Penty went down fighting 23-25, 21-11, 25-23.
One last effort
The lesser-known Freya Patel-Redfearn gave a good account of herself against the clear favourite Yeo Jia Min, but it was not nearly enough to keep England alive in the draw. With her 21-18, 21-14 loss, the home favourites ended their campaign without a podium finish.
However, the six-time winners will have their chances in the individual categories.