We’re already on day two of the Hylo Open 2022. While many took to the court yesterday on what was the opening day for the Super 300 tournament, we still had many fights to see to get the full list of who will be in the second round and therefore closer to the podium.

Amongst the most expected stars to play their first match today was Spaniard Carolina Marin. The top-seeded player had not competed at Saarbrücken since 2020 but Marin seems to be regaining her full strength and confidence after her long break due to an injury, as we saw last week in the French Open, where she claimed the silver medal.

Today, she faced fellow Spaniard Beatriz Corrales and secured the win in two games, 21-14 21-10. “It feels great to move forward in this tournament. It was a solid game but the most important thing for me was to control the shuttle and the game”, said Marin. “I don’t expect any results. I want to think game by game”, explained the European champion when asked about her performance in the last few tournaments and what her expectations are for the Hylo Open. 

Second seeds Thom Gicquel/ Delphine Delrue were one of the first to step on court today at the Saarlandhalle. The French pair faced Austria’s Philip Birker/ Katharina Hochmeir and sealed the win in straight games. “Our opponents played well, so it’s good to have a good win to start the tournament”, said Gicquel.

The French pair competed last week on home soil at another important event, the French Open, where they didn’t manage to get past the quarterfinals. The duo is here to claim important wins and their performance today motivates them further to push for medals. “The hall is faster than the one at the French Open but we all like this. We played well today so I think we have adapted well to the conditions”, explains Delphine.

It was also a good first day for another mixed doubles pair, Denmark’s Mathias Christiansen/ Alexandra Bøje. The duo claimed the title back in 2020 after a three-game thriller against home favourites Mark Lamsfuss/ Isabel Lohau. 

Last year, they had an early exit after losing in their first match of the tournament. “I have been playing here so many times, and every time it is different. Last year, the shuttles were very fast, but it’s different this year”, explained Christiansen after their win against Yang Po-Hsuan/ Hu Ling Fang, Chinese Taipei. “I think that we played a pretty solid match in there; we can be quite satisfied with that”, added Bøje.

Other European mixed doubles pairs such as England’s Gregory Mairs/Jenny Moore and Netherland’s Robin Tabeling/ Selena Piek have secured wins that will get them to the next round of the Hylo Open 2022. The road ahead will be tough, as there is strong competition from many other international players.

 

“I think the draw is quite challenging. Tomorrow, we’ll be playing against another pair from Chinese Taipei, Lee Jhe-Huei/ Hsu Ya Ching. We will be ready. There are so many good players here and everyone wants to qualify for the next round”, concluded Christiansen.