Robin Tabeling and Selena Piek managed to take a win against the number eight seeds from Hong Kong.
Tabeling and Piek have quickly put last week’s tournament in Indonesia and the European Games disappointment behind them, after showing what they were capable of in Tokyo.
The pair won in straight games against Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet, 21-13 21-17, and not just beating the Hong Kong pair but dominating the contest, which seemed to be one-way traffic.
- I think that the scoreline is also clear. After 11-10 (I think) in the first game we really dominated the game from there, Tabeling explained.
- In the second game, we always had a little lead, where we gave them no real chance to think about a win.
The Dutchman is also relieved to be able to put the past two tournaments behind and to start off well in Japan.
- Mentally this was a big win, after the European Games but also especially after last week. Blowing a lead in two of the three games.... that was a hard one to swallow, so this is good for the morale, Tabeling said.
European clash might not be the best option
Tabeling and Piek will now face the German pair, Mark Lamsfuss, and Isabel Herttrich in the next round, but the 25-year-old Dutch believes that European ties are more tricky than Asian contests.
- Sometimes it is better to play Asians, because you do not know them, and they do not know you. As we European know each other pretty well and play each other more often, he said.
- We played them at the European Games, but this is a new hall and a new match. They have beaten the Malaysians, who have had a good run last two-three months, we beat the 8th seeds, so I think it is going to be a good match with a quarter-final at stake, Tabeling continued.
You can see the draws here for the next round which will happen tomorrow.