The 2019 VICTOR China Open in Changzhou has turned into a comeback tournament for many players. We saw this to varying degrees of success on the opening day.
For number eight seeds Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, the return to regular tournament game-play has had a promising start. They have added pressure with being the reigning China Open champions. Today they looked very comfortable and assured on court against the Taiwanese pair of Lee and Yang, who have caused top seeds problems in the past. However today it was back to business for the Danes who took the win in two games, 21-14, 21-11.
Another Danish representative looking good in China is the men’s singles player Rasmus Gemke. In his opening round match against Lee Cheuk Yiu from Hong Kong, who impressed at the World Championships, it went all the way. However, the decider was never really in doubt as Gemke lead almost all the way winning it 21-14. Next he will face his compatriot, and World silver medalist Anders Antonsen in a fascinating match to look forward to.
In other results, English men’s doubles pair Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge had an agonisingly tight match against the Indonesian pairing of Pangkaryanira and Santoso, losing out 22-20, 21-19. Ellis and Langridge managed to save five game points in that opening game but were not able to maintain that momentum.
Marcus Ellis however can be pleased with his result later today when playing with Lauren Smith in the mixed doubles. They drew their teammates Chris and Gabrielle Adcock and defeated them in two games, 21-16, 21-18, consolidating their first victory over this pair at the European Games and their new status as the number one mixed doubles pair in England.