Jan O Jorgensen took to the courts in Orleans for the first time and was instantly full of praise for the new BWF Super 100 tournament.
-Today was a good day and I am enjoying myself already in this nice city. A very well run and organised tournament and so far I have been very impressed.
On court Jorgensen got his tournament off to the best possible start beating Germany’s Lars Schaenzler in two games.
-It was a good start to the tournament and I am really just here as part of the process to getting back to my best and better. I am here for games and with that the points that go along with it.
Down the line the Dane has one eye on the European Championships with the big personal goal to be a part of the Danish team that travels to Bangkok to defend their Thomas Cup triumph from 2016
-Of course the chance to play for Denmark in the Thomas Cup is the big goal. The win two years ago was one of the greatest achievements of my career and it would be great to be a part of that again.
Nguyen hunting the Big Dogs
Irish rising star Nhat Nguyen (pictured above in action during round 1) has clear goals and ambitions this week in Orleans with an eye of the European Championships coming up in Huelva next month. The former European U17 champion was rarely troubled in his opening match at the Orleans Masters Super 100 today and the Irish number one has clear goals for the rest of this week.
-I want to get to the semi final here at least, that would be a good result for me. I want to play the big dogs in the game and that drives me on.
Speaking about the upcoming European Championships Nguyen was also setting out his stall eyeing a shot at Europe’s big players in Huelva.
-I want to gauge myself against the best players. In Huelva I would love to get to play one of the top seeds and that would give me an indication as to where I am. I am really looking forward to the European Championships.
For all today’s opening round results from the Orleans Masters click HERE
View a photo gallery from today's action in Orleans HERE