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Fletcher progresses, Kyme into plate quarter-finals

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Fletcher on his way to qualifying for the 100 metres breaststroke semi-finals (Photograph by Mark Davidson)

Julian Fletcher, the Bermuda swimmer, posted a season-best time in his 100 metres breaststroke heat to reach tonight’s semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games.

Fletcher, 23, began his campaign in Glasgow this morning in the fifth and final heat at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

He came sixth in his heat in a time of 1min 4.92sec, shaving almost two seconds off his qualifying time of 1:06.72.

Fletcher, who snatched the sixteenth and final qualifying position, has vowed to swim even quicker in tonight’s semi-finals at 4pm Bermuda time.

“I got a semi-final spot and that’s what I was looking for,” Fletcher said.

“Hopefully I get some things together and organise myself for tonight.

“I’m definitely happy to be coming back and swimming tonight. I feel like I can drop some time from this morning’s swim.

“It was a season-best but hopefully I can do better.”

Fletcher, who recently graduated from the Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, said he had been blown away by the atmosphere at the packed Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

Much to the delight of the home support, Michael Jamieson, one of the poster boys of the Glasgow Games, and his Scotland team-mates Ross Murdoch and Craig Benson all reached the semis.

“The Athletes’ Village is awesome, the competition has been awesome and Scotland has been very welcoming,” Fletcher added.

“It’s been great to come here and compete and the atmosphere at the venue was great. I think it will be even better tonight.”

Adam Peaty, of England, set a Games record in this morning’s 100 heats with a time of 59.47.

In the squash consolation tournament, Nick Kyme has reached the last eight after a pair of victories. First the former Bermuda No 1 beat Suari Madako Junior Suari, of Papua New Guinea, 11-6, 11-4, 11-7 and then topped that with an 11-8, 11-4, 11-4 demolition of Scott Gautier, of Jersey.

Robbie Maycock was not so fortunate, and his Commonwealth Games is over after an 11-9, 7-11, 11-8, 11-9 defeat by Hardeep Reel, of Kenya, in a closely fought encounter. Maycock had earlier beaten another East African, Ian Rukunya, of Uganda, 11-2, 11-5, 11-5 in the round of 32.

Commonwealth Games swimmer Julian Fletcher. (Photograph by Nicola Muirhead)