The medal dreams of England’s women were dashed when they lost 3-2 to Malaysia in the quarter-finals in Glasgow today.

The squad, who finished fourth last time around in Delhi, had high hopes of improving on that, but were left shattered by a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Malaysia.

Joanna Drinkhall won both her singles matches to put England 1-0 ahead and then level at 2-2 after Kelly Sibley had lost her singles clash and also the doubles alongside Tin-Tin Ho.

When the 15-year-old Ho went 2-0 up in the final match, things looked set fair for a last-four spot. However, Ng Sock Khim fought back to take Malaysia into a semi-final tie against Australia.

By contrast, the men had little trouble ending the challenge of Wales to book their place in the semi-finals against India.

Paul Drinkhall lost the opening set 13-11 to Ryan Jenkins, but that was as good as it got for the Welsh as Drinkhall took the next three, Liam Pitchford won in three and the doubles partnership of Drinkhall and Andrew Baggaley also won in three straight.

Pitchford said: “We knew that if Paul could get a good start it would be a lot easier for us, but I went on knowing that I was the favourite and I think it was probably my best match of this tournament so far.

“I was focused and I did a good job, and thankfully the guys finished it off in the doubles.”

“I still think we’ve got a lot more to come, you’ll see that in the semi-final hopefully – we’re always striving for more.

“I don’t think we played our best game today, but it was enough for the win and that’s what counts.”

England face India in Sunday’s semi-finals (7pm) and performance coach Alan Cooke said: “Our boys took them out on their home turf last time round and they will be wanting to do the same here.

“They have got a very strong team but, as you saw tonight, so do we so it’s going to be a good battle and there will be some great matches.”

Women’s Team Quarter-Finals:
England 2-3 Malaysia
Joanna Drinkhall bt Beh Lee Wei 3-1 (11-9, 11-9, 5-11, 11-9)
Kelly Sibley lost to Ng Sock Khim 3-0 (7-11, 15-17, 7-11)
Kelly Sibley/Tin-Tin Ho lost to Beh Lee Wei/Ho Ying 3-0 (7-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-7, 6-11)
Joanna Drinkhall bt Ho Ying 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-3)
Tin-Tin Ho lost to Ng Sock Khim 2-3 (13-11, 11-9, 5-11, 9-11, 9-11)

Men’s Team Quarter-Finals:
England 3-0 Wales
Paul Drinkhall bt Ryan Jenkins 3-1 (11-13, 11-9, 11-5, 11-5)
Liam Pitchford bt Stephen Jenkins 3-0 (11-7, 11-1, 11-4)
Andrew Baggaley/Paul Drinkhall bt Daniel O’Connell/Stephen Jenkins 3-0 (11-7, 12-10, 11-8)

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