15 September, 2023
Greg and Jenny Mairs saw their spirited Hong Kong Open campaign come to an end in the second round of the Super 500 event on Thursday.
After falling in a tough opening round match at the China Open a week ago, the English shuttlers were handed a kinder draw on paper in Hong Kong, against Malaysian qualifiers Roy King Yap and Valeree Siow.
However it proved to be far from straightforward, with the Mairses having to produce their very best in an enthralling opening round encounter.
After taking the opening game, the duo were pegged back by Yap and Siow, who then led at several points throughout the deciding game.
But the English duo saved a handful of match points in a dramatic ending to the contest, and ultimately converted a match point of their own in a 21-19 16-21 25-23 triumph.
Tickets now on sale!
The wait is over, live badminton returns to Birmingham for the YONEX All England Open 2024!
Visit our website now to buy your tickets for the 2024 Championshipshttps://t.co/1PQ8L25wBJ#YAE24 pic.twitter.com/QUaT5opKQn— Badminton England (@BadmintonEnglnd) September 15, 2023
That set up a tough round two contest against European rivals and second seeds Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue.
The French pair reached the biggest final of their career at the China Open just a few days ago and are ranked inside the top ten, meaning Greg and Jenny were always likely to be underdogs in this encounter.
But, despite defeat, they still delivered an impressive performance in a 21-15 21-19 loss that will give them plenty of confidence looking ahead.
They will next be in action at the Scottish Open next month, where they will be joined by several other English players.
