Badminton

THE Scottish National Championships, in Perth this weekend have, as yet, seen few upsets. Kirsty Gilmour, top seed in the women’s singles and the women’s doubles alongside Jillie Cooper, sailed into both of today’s semi-finals with ease. Gilmour’s fiercest challenge for both titles will, most likely, come from Rita Yuan Gao, the 37-year-old former Scottish champion.

The first men’s singles semifinals sees two players making their maiden appearance in the last four, as Danny Leinster takes on Ben Torrance. The latter has taken full advantage of top seed Keiran Merrilees’ late withdrawal through injury.

The second semi-final sparks more intrigue with three-time winner Craig Goddard taking on 2010 champion Calum Menzies.

Top seeds in the men’s doubles, Martin Campbell and Angus Gilmour, are looking to win their first national title, but standing in their way is former world silver medallist Robert Blair, who partners Gordon Thomson. The bottom half of the draw pits defending champions Paul van Rietvelde and Watson Briggs against 2010 and 2011 champions Keith Turnbull and Jamie Neill.

In the highest quality final of the day, Blair and Cooper will face Briggs and 2011 world silver medallist Imogen Bankier in the mixed doubles. Jewellers Scottish Knock-out Cup at Midlothian yesterday, crushing Teviotdale 112-52.

Last year’s beaten finalists West Lothian also turned in a comfortable 100-47 win against neighbouring rivals Balbardie at Bainfield.

Five-time winners East Lothian are also in the same half of the draw as last year’s finalists and they progressed with a 99-56 win at Coatbridge against Ardrossan, and will now meet Turriff.

In the top half of the draw, Midlothian, Headwell, Tweedbank, Falkirk, Lanarkshire, Cumbernauld and Whiteinch all won through to next week’s first-round proper.