Glasgow 2014 - Commonwealth Games Sports Guide: Squash

By Steven Oldham

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Since debuting at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games in Malaysia, squash has quickly become a core sport at the Commonwealths and receives its highest potential audience at the Friendly Games.

Despite failed attempts to join the Olympic programme, squash remains a viable contender to eventually join the Games and was only denied access to the 2020 edition last year by the reprieve of wrestling.

Fast-paced, energetic and exciting, squash has been described as the ultimate workout - testing and exerting arms, legs and torso all at once.

WHEN?

With five separate competitions to get through, squash is set to be played on every day of competition from July 24-August 2.

WHERE?

Six new permanent courts at the Scotstoun Sports Campus in west Glasgow will host the preliminary matches, while the medal matches will be played on a purpose-built glass show court.

WHO?

England and Australia are the two traditional powers in Commonwealth squash, both taking home seven gold medals each. Could 2014 see either nation taking a lead for the next four years heading into the Gold Coast Games in Australia?

Nick Matthew is the one of the stars of world squash. The Englishman - chosen as his team's flagbearer for Wednesday night's opening ceremony - has won three of the last four World Opens and is currently ranked second in the world behind France's Gregory Gaultier. He already holds two Commonwealth golds from the Delhi Games in singles and doubles.

Pakistan have missed out on many Commonwealth golds due to the sport's late introduction to the Games. Janaghir and Jansher Khan dominated the game in the 1980s, but they have failed to live up to their past in the modern era. Only six countries have won Commonwealth tournaments (England, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Scotland and Malaysia.)

Malaysia were the last country to add their name to this list, with Nicol David taking the women's singles last time out in Delhi. She is well used to silverware - a seven time World Open champion in eight years, and is ranked number one in the world. She is back to defend her title, but may face competition from England's Laura Massaro, who will look to take momentum from winning her first World Open earlier this year.

LET ME SOUND LIKE I KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT...

• Five tournaments at Glasgow 2014 - men's and women's singles and doubles, and mixed doubles
• Squash courts are encased by four walls, with lines breaking the court into three - two service areas and the front half closest to the wall
• After service, the ball can hit any of the walls,  but cannot touch the floor after being hit before hitting the front wall, otherwise this player loses a point. 
• International squash uses the PARS scoring system - point-a-rally scoring, where the winner of each rally, regardless of serve, scores the point.
• The first to eleven points wins a game, with a two point margin needed, so games can't finish 11-10. Play continues until one player has a two point advantage.

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England flagbearer Nick Matthew in action (telegraph.co.uk)

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