4 September, 2023
Greg and Jenny Mairs fly the flag at the VICTOR China Open this week, with the mixed doubles duo the only English shuttlers in action in Changzhou.
One of the biggest and most prestigious events on the BWF Tour, the Super 1000 event is back for the first time since 2019 – following three years of covid-related cancellations.
This will be the first time that the pairing have contested the event and initially they were unsure if they were going to be able to play.
The pair travelled out to China as first reserves for the mixed doubles tournament, but are now in the main draw following the withdrawal of Danish duo Mathias Thyrri and Amalie Magelund.
🏸 Access to courts and facilities is crucial for the growth of badminton. 📈
Your membership fees have helped secure over 170 new court hours for clubs in previously unused educational settings. 🕐👏 #badminton #membership #community #badmintoncommunity pic.twitter.com/BxVg8zoTsH— Badminton England (@BadmintonEnglnd) September 2, 2023
They will be hoping to build on their BWF World Championships campaign, where they reached the second round before a 21-12 21-13 loss to Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping.
But they have not been handed an easy opening round draw, in the form of Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai.
The fourth seeds were Malaysia Masters champions early in the season and were also runners-up at the Thailand Open and Japan Open, before falling in the last eight of the World Championships.
This will be the first meeting between the two, taking place on Tuesday.
