Nicol-Wee Wern not good enough to beat English pair in quarters

GLASGOW: Nicol David’s hopes of winning another medal in the Glasgow Commonwealth Games have been dashed.

Nicol and Low Wee Wern gave their best but it just wasn’t enough as they fell 10-11, 8-11 to third seeds Alison Waters-Emma Beddoes of England in the quarter-finals of the women’s doubles event at the Scotstoun Sports Campus on Thursday.

The English pair will face compatriots and top seeds Laura Massaro-Jenny Duncalf in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Massaro-Duncalf went through after disposing of seventh seeds Lisa Camilleri-Donna Urquhart of Australia 11-7, 11-4 in just 18 minutes.

Nicol, who is featuring in her fifth Commonwealth Games, said that “it was a shame we lost the first set”.

“We played well and took a 7-6 lead, but we just couldn’t maintain our good form due to our lack of the doubles matches,” said Nicol who had already won the singles gold medal after beating Massaro in the final two days ago.

“The English players are more prepared and more confident of their game,” said Nicol, who has won a total of two golds, one silver and one bronze in five Games.

“I must praise Wee Wern … she played well and did well to cover me when I missed certain shots. She is a good doubles partner.

“I wish I could have done more for Malaysia by winning another medal in the doubles,” added Nicol, who will leave for Amsterdam to continue training in preparation for the Malaysian Open, which begins on Aug 19.

The 24-year-old Wee Wern described their quarter-final loss as “unfortunate”.

“I gave my best although I only recovered from dengue fever about three weeks ago. It just wasn’t our day,” said Wee Wern.

“This is my second Commonwealth Games … and I did better by reaching the individual quarter-finals (where she lost to Massaro).”

Nicol-Wee Wern qualified for the quarter-finals by packing off Mihiliya Methasarani-Nadhindhi Udangawa of Sri Lanka 11-2, 11-2 to finish as runners-up in Group D.

There, however, were some good news for the Malaysian squad despite Nicol and Wee Wern’s exit.

Malaysia’s mixed doubles pair of Valentino Bon Jovi Bong and Rachel Arnold have qualified for the quarter-finals after beating Guyana’s Alexander Arjoon-Nicolette Fernandes 11-9, 11-9 to finish second in Group H.