The Carlton Irish Open kicked off at Baldoyle Badminton Centre in Dublin today with a full a full qualification schedule. The men’s singles was of particular interest with the inclusion of German doubles specialist and Olympian Johannes Schöttler in his maiden singles outing.

Schöttler looked extremely nervous in his opening match but managed to come through in three games against Indian Velavan Vasudevan. “The first game was very difficult for me as I was really nervous and did not know what to expect.” Commented Schöttler after his first match as a singles player.

The younger Schöttler brother had a more convincing win in the second round of qualification over Ireland’s Tony Murphy before facing off against his brother in a winner takes all match to advance to the main draw. The two giants shared the opening games but it was clear midway through the deciding set that the tank was running empty for the doubles specialist and the singles dominance of Sebastian began to shine through.

In the end it was Sebastian who prevailed 21-10 in the deciding game and Johannes was justifiable philosophical in his post match interview.  “It is a different challenge for me physically but singles is something I want to try and decided to try after the Olympics. I just ran out of steam in the end but it was a good fight against my brother”

Elsewhere in the men’s singles it was a good days work for the French U19 squad that have travelled to Dublin with both Lucas Corvee and Pierrick Cajot advancing to tomorrow’s main draw.

The women’s singles draw went pretty much according to seeding and to form with all the fancied women advancing to the main draw. The French again excelled and two of their up and coming stars Marie Batomene and Delphine Lansac advanced to the main draw. “It is nice to be here in Dublin along with all my friends. Qualification is always tough so to get through today to the main draw is good for confidence” said Batomene after her qualification victory.

Finally there was success for home girl Alannah Stephenson as she prevented a French hat trick in the women’s singles qualification. The talent Irish girl proved she is certainly one to watch for the future after ending the run of Anne Trann to book her spot in the main draw.

The Carlton Irish Open is being broadcast all week on the BWF streaming portal www.badmintonworld.tv as well as around Europe via www.aertv.ie via the Badminton Ireland website.

Tune in for details of daily competitions with the chance to win a range of Carlton goodies. Don’t forget to download the new Badminton Ireland app available for android and Iphone for all the latest news from the tournament.

For all tournament results click HERE.

Article and Image by Mark Phelan (Live in Dublin)