Badminton heads into Quarter Finals
Badminton gets into the serious competition on Day 4, as the
Quarter Finals start this morning with a line up of Malaysia
playing Australia, Singapore and India going
head-to-head, Canada taking on England and New Zealand
opposed to Sri Lanka.
On court 1, host nation Australia has a mammoth task ahead of it.
Malaysia has not yet been extended in any of its matches, and with
its versatile line up it doesnt appear to be changing anytime
soon.
Australian Stuart Brehaut faces the ultimate test in the singles,
where he will play world number 2 in Chong Wei Lee. Tania Luiz will
test herself against Mew Chew Wong, and Ashley Brehaut and Travis
Denney will try to upset Kien Keat Koo and Chong Ming Chan.
The task ahead of the Mixed and Womens Doubles Pairs are equally
daunting.
Singapore, which has yet to drop a rubber, will play an
India smarting from its defeat by England. India went very close in
two of its matches with the number two side, but will have to take
another step up to really challenge in this tie.
The Mixed Doubles will be first on Court 2, where Singapore
pair Hendri Saputra and Lu Yujia face Indias Vallyaveetil Diju and
Jwala Gutta. This will be a real tough challenge for the
India.
England and Canada also start with the Mixed Doubles and will play
on Court 3. Canada thrive on confidence and they will need all its
resilience in the face of the English team. England has experience
throughout its line up, with eight players returning after the
Manchester games to represent the country again at Melbourne 2006
commonwealth Games.
Simon Archer, in his last games campaign will play the Mens
Singles, with Robert Milroy his opponent.
On Court 4, New Zealand and Sri Lanka should produce a close
encounter, with New Zealand the marginal favourites after its
demolition of Australia.
Winners of the Quarter Final matches will go into the Semi
Finals this evening. The winner of the Malaysia Australia match
will face New Zealand or Sri Lanka, and Singapore or India will
play against either England or Canada.
