Rhyl squash star Tesni Evans has won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Australia.

Family and friends awoke early Monday morning to see the 25-year-old clinch victory in her women’s singles bronze medal play-off against Malaysia’s Nicol David on the Gold Coast.

The world number 12, who triumphed the British National Championship in February, won 11-7, 3-11, 12-10, 11-7 against a player ranked three places higher in the global rankings.

Evans had earlier defeated English top seed and world number seven Laura Massaro in the quarter-finals before falling to England’s Sarah-Jane Perry 3-1 in the semi-finals.

With the singles event completed, Evans will now look ahead to her next two events and the chance to add to her medal tally in Queensland.

She will compete in the women’s doubles with partner Deon Saffery and in the mixed doubles with Peter Creed.

This is Evans' second Commonwealth Games, having made the last 16 in the singles in Glasgow in 2014.

Her Gold Coast success marked Wales' first squash medal since Alex Gough's bronze in 1998.

"I feel unbelievable and can't believe I won that match," said Evans.

"It was so tough after coming back [from losing a semi-final], but I am happy I put in a performance like that.

"I was having so many doubts in my mind about how tired I was and I was just trying to block it out.

"This is the top of moment my career and I am very proud to represent Wales."

And she tweeted: “Over the moon to pick up a bronze here... at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. what a week!

“A huge congratulations to Joelle King on winning gold and Sarah-Jane Perry on her silver.

“Thanks everyone back home for the support. No rest for Team Wales squash though.

"Today we start doubles... let’s go Peter Creed, Deon Saffery and Joel Makin, who put in some class squash this past week! Come on team!”

Back home Mark Thomas – owner of Saints Gym in Meliden, where Evans used to train – said: “We are really pleased for her and wish her all the best for the future.

“She started off as a junior here and we are always pleased to hear she is doing well.

"When she was here she was pleasant, worked really hard on her game and I know that everyone that knew her that is still here would wish her all the best.

“We had her match on the televisions in the gym... so everyone was able to view her achievement.”