Days 5 Report

Provided by UK Deaf Sport

Tennis


Team GB are through to the final of the Mixed Doubles Event after a superb performance from Anthony Sinclair and Catherine Graham



The duo guaranteed themselves at least a silver medal when they beat Japan's Tetsuya Matsushita and Yachiyo Abe 6-1, 6-1.




The British second seeds will play Italian top seeds Gianpaolo Damiani and Barbara Oddone in the final.



The Italians are unbeaten in the mixed doubles at any Deaflympics since 1989.


"We're thrilled to be in the final", Sinclair commented afterwards.



"Catherine and I are going to try our hardest to break that (the Italians') hold on the trophy".


Saturday's final will take place in front of the TV cameras on Centre Court, where Lewis Fletcher and Darren O'Donnell exited at the semi-final stage today in the Men's Doubles.



Football


Team GB Men put the disappointment of not making the medal stages behind them by thumping South Africa 5-0 in the 9-16th play-off.


In slightly cooler conditions than in previous games, GB took the lead via Nick Gregory.



Matthew Byfield, and shortly afterwards, Daniel Hogan with a great shot put GB in control of the game at 3-0.


Oliver Monksfield returned from suspension to get in on the act, adding the fourth before Steven Gardiner put the seal on things with a header.


"Four out of my nine goals for GB have been headers", Gardiner remarked modestly afterwards. "So I suppose I'm quite good at them!"



Badminton


Taipei schools have each been allocated a nation at the Deaflympics to support and Team GB are being backed by the kids from Dun Hua Junior High School.


Our friends with their flags were out in force today at the badminton venue this afternoon, cheering on Team GB in their Men's singles matches.


Carl Sadler won his game when his opponent retired but his exit from the competion overall allows him to focus on the doubles, where he will partner Rajeev Bagga.


"I rather enjoyed it", said a surprised Sadler of the attention he got today.


"They were even taking photographs of me as I was leaving the court, but it was great".


Xander Hurley is through to the last 32, as is Dominic Caswell, who has an all-British tie against Bagga tomorrow.



Kirstie Allen and Caroline Bird were in Ladies Singles action this morning but both players lost their matches.