by Ian Marshall, Editor

In the men’s singles event, it was not the best of days for Australia. The leading names in their respective groups, both lost to Indian adversaries; David Powell was beaten by Sushmit Sriram (4-11, 11-9, 11-5, 12-10), Kane Townsend experienced defeat at the hands Manush Utpalbhai Shah (11-5, 8-11, 11-9, 11-7).

Sushmit Sriram and Manush Utpalbhai Shah duly remained unbeaten to secure first places.

Disappointment for David Powell and Kane Townsend; it was the same for South Africa’s Kurt Lingeveldt, as it was for Callum Evans of Wales, likewise the highest ranked players in their respective groups. Kurt Lingeveldt had to settle for third place in a group won by Singapore’s Lucas Tan; for Callum Evans it was runners up spot in group that witnessed first place for the host nation’s Jeet Chandra.

Surprises but not amongst the very top names on qualification duty; Nigeria’s Bode Abiodun and England’s Tom Jarvis each enjoyed a successful day.

Similarly, in the women’s singles event, there were surprises, Nigeria’s Nimotallia Aregbesola and India’s Musumi Paul being the players to catch the eye. Both started the day as the lowest rated in their particular groups, both ended the day unbeaten and in first places.

Two unexpected first places in the initial phase of the women’s singles event; there was one more. Contrary to status, India’s Prapti Sen beat Sri Lanka’s Ishara Madurangi (11-9, 11-6, 11-4) to claim pole position. Otherwise, for the principal names on qualification duty it was first place; notably Australia’s Feng Chunyi and the host’s Sinha Roy Krittwika justified their status to secure main draw places.

Meanwhile, in the doubles events Singapore excelled; in all three disciplines quarter-final places were secured against the odds. In the men’s doubles Pang Yew En Koen and Josh Chua Shao Han progressed, as in the women’s doubles did Goi Rui Xuan and Wong Xin Ru alongside Zhang Wanling and Jassy Lilian Tan. Likewise, in the mixed doubles Pang Yew En Koen and Goi Rui Xuan reserved a quarter-final place.

Surprise outcomes but not amongst the top seeds; Sathiyan Gnanasekaran progressed in the men’s doubles alongside Sharath Kamal Achanta and in the mixed when partnering Archana Girish Kamath. Likewise, in the women’s doubles for Archana Girish Kamath in harness with Madhurika Patkar, justified the top seeded accolade.

Play in Cuttack concludes on Monday 22nd July.

2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Team – Stage 1 – Results (Wednesday 17th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Team – Stage 2 – Results (Thursday 18th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Team – Results – Stage 3 (Friday 19th July)

2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Team – Stage 1 – Results (Wednesday 17th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Team – Stage 2 – Results (Thursday 18th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Team – Detailed Results – All Stages (Friday 19th July)

2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Team – Detailed Results – All Stages (Friday 19th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Team – Detailed Results – All Stages (Friday 19th July)

2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Singles – Stage One – Results (Saturday 20th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Singles – Main Draw (Sunday 21st July)

2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Singles – Stage One – Results (Saturday 20th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Singles – Main Draw (Sunday 21st July)

2019 Commonwealth Championships: Men’s Doubles – Main Draw – Results (Saturday 20th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Women’s Doubles – Main Draw – Results (Saturday 20th July)
2019 Commonwealth Championships: Mixed Doubles – Main Draw – Results (Saturday 20th July)