England's Nicol, Australian Grinham win gold

MELBOURNE, Mar 20 (Reuters) England's Peter Nicol and Australian Natalie Grinham won the men's and women's singles at the Commonwealth Games today.

Nicol, silver medallist in Manchester four years ago, beat Australian top seed David Palmer 9-5 10-8 4-9 9-2 in a high quality match while Grinham defeated her older sister Rachael 2-9 9-6 9-1 9-6.

Nicol, 32, won the gold medal in Kuala Lumpur in 1998 competing for Scotland and he reclaimed the title for his new country with a powerful display, featuring outstanding retrieving in the face of Palmer's attacks.

Second seed Rachael Grinham dominated the first game of the women's final before third seed Natalie gradually wore her sister down, increasing the tempo and moving her around the court with a series of clever drop shots and lobs.

England's Lee Beachill took the men's bronze after beating compatriot Nick Matthew 9-3 9-7 9-3. Shelley Kitchen of New Zealand finished third in the women's event following a 5-9 9-6 9-5 9-2 victory over Nicol David of Malaysia.

REUTERS PDS RS1905