Irish in to Quarter Final of London Grand Prix Gold

First on-court in Men singles yesterday for the Irish was Irish number one Scott Evans against World number 61 Yan Kit Chan of Hong Kong. The Irish number one expected a tough test going into this match and the match lived up to its billing. Scott edged out the first set 21-19 but the Hong Kong player fought back to take the second set 21-12. In the third set Scott booked his place in the last 16 winning 21-10 to set up a match against number 8 seed Zi Liang Derek Wong of Singapore.

In the last 16 match Evans got off to a good start leading 14-10. The Singapore player fought back with attacking badminton to take the opening set 21-17. In the second Set Evans again started well and took the initiative going 11-8 up into the mid game interval. From 11 the Singapore player began to up the pace of the match and after a number of exciting rallies the tie was even at 18-18. From 18 all Wong again stepped up his game and took the match 21 -18 to secure his spot in the last 8.

In the Ladies singles Irish number one Chloe Magee also faced Asian opposition in a match up with Ya Lan Chang of Chinese Taipei. Magee dominated the match and booked her place into the last 16 winning 21-14 21-15. In the Last 16 Chloe faced number six seed for the event Kristina Gavnholt of the Czech Republic. The number 6 seed took the opening set 21-18, but Magee fought back to upset the Czech number one taking the second 21-16. In the final set Kristina took an early lead gaining a four point advantage, despite Magee fighting back the lead proved to be too much as the Czech number 6 seed progressed to the quarterfinal taking the third set 21-10.

In the mixed doubles Irish number one partnership Chloe and Sam Magee faced Nico Ruponen and Amanda Hogstrom of Sweden. The Swedish pairing had defeated Joe Wu of New Zealand and Ya Lan Chang of Chinese Taipei 21-15 21-13 to set up a last 16 show down with the brother sister duo. The Swedish pair started the match well winning the opening set 21-17. In the second set the Irish number ones led for the entire set before a late comeback from the Swedes. At 20 all in the second the Irish held their nerve to take the game into the deciding end. In the third set the Irish raced off to an 11-7 lead at the mid game interval. After the break it was back to work for the Irish as they closed out the match 21-15 to book a place in the quarter-final line up. In the quarter final the pair will face a match up with world number 26 pairing Irfan Fadhilah and Weni Anggraini of Indonesia who are seeded number 4 in this event.