After losing to India in the semi-finals, it was a bittersweet victory against Singapore that gave England a team badminton bronze. But instead of dwelling on what might have been, Jenny Wallwork is looking to the mixed doubles for more medal success.
“It’s my first Commonwealth Games,” said the 23-year-old from Bolton. “And that was my first badminton medal. It was brilliant to be on the podium.”
Wallwork succeeded the now retired Gail Emms as partner to Nathan Robertson in the mixed doubles and is looking forward to playing alongside him when they begin their assault on the podium tomorrow.
Despite the blow of losing to India, Wallwork is focused on the positive – her first Commonwealth Games medal and England’s chances in the remaining badminton fixtures.
She said: ”We have got a brilliant chance in the mixed doubles, we’ve got a good draw and hopefully we can capitalise on it. We showed last night that we can play and we just need to go out and play at our best.”
Robertson and Wallwork produced a confident display in their part of the victory over Singapore, beating Chayut Triyachart and Yao Lei 21-13, 21-15.
There is no shortage of confidence in Wallwork’s game, but she is still willing to take on advice to improve her game. “It’s great to play with someone as experienced as Nathan and I try to learn as much as I can from him and listen to everything he has to say,” she said.
Top seeds Wallwork and Robertson face Georgie Cupion and Juliette Ah-Wan of the Seychelles tomorrow in the first round of the mixed doubles.
The only England player in action today, Carl Baxter, easily won his men’s singles game against Wilson Tukire of Uganda 21-5, 21-11.