Barbados and Caribbean squash queen Meagan Best is into the final of the women’s singles plate, while the netball team rolled over Fiji for their first victory at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Queensland, Australia.
Best, who turns 16 later this month, has bounced back from the disappointment of being knocked out in the first round of the main draw.
Playing at the Oxenford Studios on the Gold Coast yesterday, she demolished Madina Zafar of Pakistan 11-2, 11-5, 11-5 in the semi-finals in 17 minutes.
Best will clash with Sri Lanka’s Mihiliya Methsarani in today’s final.
Compatriot Amanda Haywood reached the final of the women’s singles consolation plate after defeating Samantha Hennings of the Cayman Islands in the semis in 32 minutes. She will play another Cayman Islander, Eilidh Bridgeman, in the final.
National squash champion Shawn Simpson lost a titanic duel over five games to Jason Doyle of St Vincent & the Grenadines in the men’s singles plate quarter-finals.
Simpson battled back after losing the first two games to win games three and four to take the match into what was an absorbing fifth game. Doyle prevailed 13-11, 11-9, 5-11, 8-11, 11-9 in 43 minutes.
In netball, Barbados, ranked 11th in the world, rallied to beat 12th-ranked Fiji 65-44 at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Fiji led 12-9 at the end of the first quarter but Barbados rebounded in the second to lead by five at half-time (26-23). Barbados, behind some strong mid-court play, controlled the rest of the match.
For Barbados, 21-year-old shooter Shonica Wharton shot at 87 per cent, scoring 33 of 38 tries, while Latonia Blackman shot 22 of her 28 attempts. Nikita Payne shot ten of her 12 tries.
It was a good comeback from Barbados, who were crushed 79-24 in their opening match against world No.1 and defending champions Australia.
Barbados face a mighty challenge in their next Pool A clash, against world No. 4 Jamaica, tomorrow.
Just like in the Rio Olympics, Alex Sobers was knocked out of medal contention after his first swim. The tall 19-year-old won his heat in the 100 metres freestyle in 51.12 seconds, but with all of the elite swimmers clocking under-50 seconds, was not able to advance to the last 16.
England-based cyclist Amber Joseph struggled in the 25 km points race, which was won by Elinor Barker of Wales. The 18-year-old Joseph failed to collect a point.
In the ring, Kimberly Gittens lost her 60 kg Round of 16 clash with Sarita Dev of India on points. (MK)
