By Scott Wilson, PA Sport

England's Tracey Hallam promised to give everything tomorrow in an attempt to reward the fervent Bolton Arena crowd with a gold medal.

The latter stages of the tournament have drawn capacity crowds, and most players admit they have never played in an better atmosphere.

Hallam meets Singapore's Li Li in the women's singles final tomorrow after beating India's Aparna Popat 7-3 7-3 7-1 on a day when most of England's gold medal hopes disappeared in a blaze of Malaysian success.

The Burton-born player knows she can beat Li, and would like nothing better than to treat the crowd to a rendition of 'Land of Hope and Glory'.

"It's an absolutely fantastic atmosphere to play in out there," she said. "I just hope I can give them a gold medal tomorrow.

"I had to try to switch the crowd off really, because you've got to concentrate on your own game, but you are aware of them."

Hallam felt the key against Popat was dictating the pace of the game, as the Indian was never allowed to settle into a routine of probing lobs and defensive pushes.

"She's very good at playing her own pace and so I had to dictate the pace and do what I wanted to do," she said. "I just wanted to relax because I had nothing to lose today really."

Hallam can now look forward to the biggest game of her career, but a tearful Gail Emms was left to reflect on what might have been.

Emms, and her women's doubles partner Jo Goode, slumped to a shock 7-4 6-8 8-6 7-4 defeat at the hands of Malaysian duo Lim Pek Siah and Ang Li Peng.

The pairing won a bronze medal for their efforts but, after being part of the England mixed team that romped to gold earlier in the week, Emms admitted she was desperate for an individual gold as well.

"I just wish I could win something for myself after doing so well in the team event," she said.

"It's so disappointing, especially with all of family in, but they are magnificent players.

"I wasn't nervous, but I was trying to play safe and not make mistakes. That means you compromise a shot that should be good into a shot that is average."

Goode and Emms, who were expected to overcome an inexperienced Malaysian duo, made too many unforced errors in a marathon match that lasted over an hour.

Their opponents' defensive game meant a succession of lengthy rallies that prevented the English pair ever dominating at the net in the manner they are accustomed to.

"We couldn't get into a rhythm all game," she admitted. "It was a very bitty game and that stops you getting into a rhythm.

"We just couldn't find that level where everything we were hitting was right.

"It was one good thing and then one bad thing, and if you are constantly worrying about when the next bad thing is coming, you don't do too many good things."