Circuit

Quach leads charge for Europe
Date: 11/23/2012 10:35 AM
Published by : Manuel Røsler
Flemming Quach, fresh from his six week tournament break, displayed maturity beyond his years as he battled through to the quarter finals of the Scottish International in the windy testing conditions of the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. The young Dane brought down the consistent Gabriel Ulldahl of Sweden in the second round before playing one of the matches of his young career as he defeated Japan’s Akiri Koga in three games.

After his early morning win over the Swede Quach was understandably upbeat as he spoke to Badminton Europe. “I decided to take a break after the Czech International to recharge the batteries and I have come back fresher which has been a factor so far this week. A lot of this tournament is dealing with the windy conditions and I managed to do that well against Ulldahl today”

Quach (pictured) played down his chances against Japan’s Kogo but came out this evening and controlled both the conditions and his opponent to advance to the quarter finals. “It is always a bonus to play against Asians as we do not get a chance very often on the circuit here in Europe. I started slow but controlled the second game and new I could use the wind advantage in the deciding game and it worked”

The remaining eight players through to the quarter finals of the men’s draw will all fancy their chances after both the top two seeds were defeated including Bitburger Open champion Tien Chen Chou. Other European to join Quach in the quarter finals include Eric Pang, Rune Ulsing and the in-form German Lukas Schmidt.

In the women’s singles Germany’s Olga Konon displayed her tournament credentials with an exquisite display against one of the circuits form players in the shape of Kristina Gavnholt. Konon walked the opening set 21-9 before battling back to advance to the quarter finals with a 21-18 win in the second. The German now progresses to play home favourite and three time tour champion this season, Kirsty Gilmour of Scotland. The Scot, benefitting from the easier side of the draw was philosophical about her progress to date as she spoke to badminton Europe.

“I can only play what is put in front of me but sure the real tournament starts now and my form is good so I am looking forward to the quarters”. Elsewhere Petya Nedelcheva was forced to battle through in three games against Chiang Mei Hui of Chinese Taipai and Karin Schnasse is the only other European through to the quarters where she will play Korea’s Kim Hyo Min who defeated second seed Carolina Marin in the third round.

In the mixed doubles Dutch pair Bosch and Piek smiled their way through a pair of matches today and ended the great tournament run of Olver and Langridge in the second round. The Dutch will now be a threat to the podium for sure in a tournament without pressure for the pair who just decided to come together in the absence of their regular partners.

“Both our partners were unavailable for this tournament for one reason or another so we just looked at each other and said hey lets enter and see how we get on. It was a good win against the English as they have been a form pair this season and now the draw has opened up for us a little so we are quietly confident” said Piek to Badminton Europe.

To re visit all the action from today’s games as well as watch the post match interviews log onto Badminton Europe TV by clicking HERE.

For an full photo gallery from today’s play follow Badminton Europe on facebook by clicking HERE

For all results click HERE

Article and Image by Mark Phelan (Live in Glasgow)
©badmintoneurope.com. All rights reserved.

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