ALL ENGLAND 2010 – French Qualification Revolution

With the withdrawal of Brice Leverdez due to injury, the weight of French singles expectations fell squarely on the shoulders on Matthieu Lo Li Ping (pictured) to deliver a credible […]

AE2010-tue-LoYing-Ping

With the withdrawal of Brice Leverdez due to injury, the weight of French singles expectations fell squarely on the shoulders on Matthieu Lo Li Ping (pictured) to deliver a credible result, and the French number 2 delivered just that in today’s qualification.

By Mark Phelan (Live in Birmingham).  Photos: BadmintonPhoto.com (Live)

In the morning session, the French shuttler showed some exquisite form as he destroyed Anup Sridhar in 2 sets 21-8, 21-14. With the pressure of qualification, there is never much time to dwell on any success, and Lo Li Ping continued where he left off to march into tomorrow’s main draw with a dogged three-game victory over Thai shuttler Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, to the delight of French head coach Fabrice Vallet.

“When I came to England as a junior to play in an 8 nations tournament we were given an memento which I kept for years as my lucky charm. Today when I walk onto court I saw the huge logo and it reminded me of those days and the luck it brought me. I knew when I saw that today that this was to be my day and I’m so happy to make the main draw here with my first visit to the ,” said a philosophical Matthieu Lo Li Ping after his victory.

Others to advance in the men’s singles were Henri Huskainen after Ville Lang’s failure to turn up on court. Christian Lind Thompsen, Shon Wan Ho follow the Swede and Frenchman into tomorrow’s main draw.

AE2010-tue-OlgaIn the women’s singles, Olga Konon (pictured) continued her 100% Super Series qualification record with a convincing demolition of Chen Hsiao Huan 21-9, 21-7 before ending Larisa Griga’s first round aspirations in 2 sets.

“I learned a lot from my defeat in the German Open last week and I feel pretty good now after these two wins today. I feel confident and in control and I really look forward to playing Wang Xin tomorrow and hope maybe to take another Chinese scalp similar to the French Open last November,” said Konon after her qualification success.

Following Konon into the main draw in the women’s singles are Linda Zetchiri, who ended any English hopes of getting a singles player into the women’s main draw. The main draw is completed by Yu Hirayama and Bae Youn Joo of Japan and Korea respectively.

For all results, click HERE

Our partner HOTEL in the All England – City Nites – in the Heart of Birmingham

City Nites Birmingham – a fabulous and cost effective alternative to a hotel room. • There is no closer accommodation venue to the NIA, so if you are attending any show or event, you now know where to stay!

www.city-nites

About Mark Phelan