Swimming: Ingram grabs medal at Singapore World Cup

Melissa Ingram won a bronze medal in the women's 200m backstroke. Photo / Alan Gibson

New Zealand swimmer Melissa Ingram won a bronze medal in the women's 200m backstroke on a star-studded opening night of the World Cup meet in Singapore overnight (NZT).

Ingram collected bronze after a closely fought battle with winner Alexianne Castel (France) and Shiho Sakei (Japan).

There was massive media interest in the meet, with the competitive return from retirement of Australian greats Ian Thorpe and Libby Trickett.

Ingram, coached by Scott Talbot, also finished sixth in the final of the 200m freestyle while Auckland teenager Jessica Marston produced an excellent performance to finish fourth in the 800m freestyle.

Ingram qualified fourth fastest in 2:08.13 and fought out a close battle with Castel and Sakai in the final, with the trio separated by half a second at the 100m mark with only 8/10ths covering them at the finish.

She was eighth fastest qualifier in the 200m freestyle in 1:58.60 and improved in a solid swim in the final in 1:57.31, won by Australian Blair Evans.

Marston, a Mount Albert Grammar pupil, came home strongly over the final 100m to finish fourth in the 800m freestyle in 8:48.19, won by South Africa's Jessica Pengally.

The meet continues tomorrow with the New Zealand pair both competing in the 400m freestyle and Ingram also in the 100m backstroke.

Results from the World Cup swimming meet in Singapore overnight.

800m freestyle: Jessica Pengally (RSA) 8:22.05, 1; Sinan Ha (CHN) 8.30.82, 2; Angi Bai (Chn) 8:43.22, 3. Also: Jessica Marston (NZL) 8:48.19, 4.

200m freestyle: Blair Evans (AUS) 1:55.48, 1; Kylie Palmer (AUS) 1:56.10, 2; Merinda Dingjan (AUS) 1:56.45, 3. Also: Melissa Ingram (NZL) 1:57.31, 6.

200m backstroke: Alexianne Castel (FRA) 2:04.84, 1; Shiho Sakai (JPN) 2:05.19, 2; Ingram (NZL) 2:05.62, 3.

-APNZ