Commonwealth silver medallist and European bronze winner Rajiv Ouseph got off to a winning start on his debut at the Yonex Copenhagen Masters this afternoon.

The four-times English National men's singles champion, who defends his title at the Bolton Arena at the beginning of February, defeated Dutchman Eric Pang in a three-game contest.

Ouseph took the first game comfortably 21-11 and recovered from 18-12 down to within a point at 18-17 before Pang levelled the match 21-18.

But in the decider Ouseph recaptured the control he showed in the first game and took the contest 21-12 on his third match point.

Ouseph was back in action tonight against European champion Peter Gade in the match to decide Group 1. And Ouseph made a real fight of it against the Dane, who had won all seven of their previous meetings in straight games.

But Ouseph surprised him tonight by levelling the match at one game all in coming back from losing the first 21-14 by taking the second 21-12. And the English No. 1 and world No. 24 led in the decider 7-3 and 8-7 before Gade used his experience to pull away and take the 52-minute contest 21-15.

In tomorrow's final Gade will face Jan O.Jorgensen, who beat rising Danish star Victor Axelsen in straight games in the Group 2 decider.

Check out www.tournamentsoftware.com for results.