As the YONEX-SUNRISE Hong Kong Open got underway today, there is room for improvement for European players on Day 2, despite a win for Chris and Gabrielle Adcock.
The first round got underway today with only one European win, which came for the current European Champions, Chris and Gabrielle Adcock, who beat the number six seeds Peng Soon Chan/Liu Ying Goh over two games.
Following the qualification, the first round proper began and following the day’s action with just one win in the first round so far, it has been a difficult day for Europe.
A win after two close games
Chris Adcock/Gabrielle Adcock was the only first-round winners today, getting the better of their Malaysian opponents, Peng Soon Chan/Liu Ying Goh, over two games.
The pair from England was able to mirror the result against the same opponents who they faced in the Commonwealth Games earlier this year, winning the first game 21-19 and the second 21-16.
Flashback to Commonwealth Games
The couple from England will now go on to play Thai pair, Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Sapsiree Taerattanachai, who they have never beaten.
The last time the two pairs met, was at the China Open earlier this year. The result: the Adcocks lost out over three games.
Besides, there were some exits today with two Danish pairs Niclas Nohr/Sara Thygesen, Mathias Christiansen/Christinna Pedersen, as well as French Mixed Doubles pair, Ronan Labar/Audrey Mittelheisser, who got knocked out on Day 1 of the tournament.