Badminton Life

Rasmussen and Paaske Back on Form

Day 1 and the unpredictability of the opening round has slashed the amount of seeds left in the draw, including a top seed falling at the opening hurdle. Several seeds have also came through in tight affairs to book their place in the second round.

Mens Singles:

The first seed to book his place in the second round was Taufik Hidayat with a three game victory over Hu Yun 17-21, 21-11, 21-12. He plays Andrew Smith in the second round after the local favourite beat Eric Pang 21-10, 21-11 in his opening round match.

Lee Chong Wei booked his second round place with a 21-15, 21-16 with over Chetan Anand of India to set up a fantastic second round match with Sony Dwi Kunncoro of Indonesia after he defeated Du Pengyu 21-19, 21-10. The first seed to fall happened soon after Lee Chong Wei’s win as Jan O Jorgensen suffered a first round defeat to Chen Long of China 21-16, 21-10. The Chinese player plays Shon Wan Ho in the second round after his win over Chan Yan Kit in three games.

Peter Gade’s campaign begun in the middle of day 1 with a match against Dicky Palyama, the 42-minute encounter provided a stern test for the Danish 5^th seed but he progressed into round 2 with a 21-17, 21-17 win. He plays Indonesian Simon Santoso in the second round in another of the top matches on Thursday. There was wins for Joachim Persson and Kenichi Tago, with the Japanese player defeating 7^th seed Tien Minh Nguyen 21-10, 21-17. Persson and Tago will meet in Round 2.

The three Chinese seeds in the bottom half all progressed with varying results, Chen Jin saving a match point to win the third game in his match 22-20 to set up a round 2 clash with Rajiv Ouseph of England. Bao Chunlai defeated Marc Zweibler 21-7, 21-7 to show his credentials for the title and will play Park Sung Hwan in round 2. However, the second seeded Lin Dan was the main attraction of Round 1 with his first match of 2010. He played Danish qualifier Christian Lind Thomsen in his opening round match and after trailing 4-1 in the opening game, never let his Danish opponent lead the remainder of the match, winning 21-16, 21-15 to progress into round 2.

Women’s Singles:

Wang Yihan begun her defence against Ella Diehl of Russia and was duely tested, coming through 21-19, 21-19 to set up a round 2 match with Yu Hirayama of Japan. It was a mixed day for the Chinese ladies, with Jiang Yanjiao and Wang Xin progressing easily in two games. The 3^rd seed Jiang Yanjiao winning 21-18, 21-9 and Wang Xin, the fifth seed winning 21-8, 21-10.

The major shock of round 1 is the 2^nd seed Wang Lin crashing out to Eriko Hirose of Japan 10-21, 21-16, 21-18. Hirose will now play Tine Rasmussen in the second round after the Dane defeating Kim Moon Hi 21-19, 21-16. Wang Shixian also suffered a surprise defeat to Maria Febe Kusumastuti of Indonesia, losing out 21-13, 15-21, 21-16 who will now go on to play Jiang Yanjiao in the second round.

World champion Lu Lan safely progressed with a 21-6, 21-12 win over Yip Pui Yin and will play Scotland’s Susan Egelstaff in the second round, after she defeated Sayaka Sato 21-9, 21-19. Lu Lan is the now the highest seed left in the bottom half as the 4^th seeded Pi Hongyan was beaten by Juliane Schenk 21-23, 21-12, 21-15. The other seed in the bottom half, Saina Nehwal won her match against Judith Meulendijks 21-18, 21-11 to set up a round 2 match with Bae Youn Joo, the Malaysian Super Series finalist.

Mens Doubles:

Former world champions Paaske and Rasmussen claimed a stunning victory in their 21-13, 21-11 win over top seeds Koo and Tan in the opening round and will play Ko and Yoo of Korea in the second round tomorrow. 3^rd seeded Kido and Setiawan had to battle through a three-game encounter with Sato and Kawamae of Japan to progress into tomorrow’s second round, winning 21-15, 16-21, 21-18.

In the bottom half, Cai and Fu came through in three games over Ahsan and Septano of Indonesia to book their place in round 2 against Kim and Shin of Korea. Robert Blair was forced to retire with the same injury that forced him out of the German Open final, allowing a free pass for Fang and Lee of Chinese Taipei who play the 4^th seeds Boe and Mogensen in round 2 after the Danish pair defeated Hayakawa and Kazuno 21-14, 21-14.

The remaining seeds in the bottom half progressed safely, with Xu and Guo of China coming back from a game down to win their match and will play Anthony Clark and Nathan Robertson of England in round 2. The 2^nd seeds Lee and Jung are safely through after a 21-12, 21-11 win over Elbjorn and Skovgaard of Denmark.

Women’s Doubles:

7 of the 8 seeds are through to round 2, with Chin and Wong seeded 4^th suffering a shock 22-20, 21-15 defeat to Jauhari and Polii of Indonesia. Du and Yu safely progressed 21-9, 21-16 and the top seeds will play Russia’s Sorokina and Vislova in round 2. Ma and Wang seeded 2, won their opening round match 21-16, 21-10 and will play Amitapai and Munkit of Thailand in the second round who defeated Mason and Bankier of Scotland in round 1.

Mixed Doubles:

Top seeds Zheng and Ma are safely into round 2 and face another Chinese pair in Zhang and Shao in tomorrow’s second round, with both Chinese pairs coming through in two games. Another Chinese pair, He and Yu are also safely through to round 2, with a 21-14, 21-10 win over Fang and Wang of Chinese Taipei. They are scheduled to play Robert Blair and Imogen Bankier in round 2 but that match may not go ahead depending on Blair’s leg injury.

The fourth Chinese pair in the top half are also through, 6^th seeded Tao and Zhang defeated Russian pair Nikolaenko and Sorokina 21-10, 21-14 to book their place against Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezda Kostiucyzk of Poland, the Hong Kong Super Series winners.

World champions Laybourn and Rytter Juhl are safely into round 2 and will play Nathan Robertson and Jenny Wallwork in the second round. 3^rd seeded and Olympic champions Lee and Lee came back from a game down to win their match against Liao and Chen of Chinese Taipei and face an all-Korean second round match against Yoo and Kim. Second seeded Natsir and Widianto also fought back from losing the first game to progress into round 2, winning 17-21, 21-13, 21-9 to set up a match with Careme and Choinet of France.

Day 1 Results

Indonesia Tops Podium in Austria

Four of the five events had an Indonesian in the semi final stage of the Austrian Open, with Andre Kurniawan Tedjono playing the top seeded Brice Leverdez in the first of the men’s singles semi final. After losing the first game, the Indonesian 3^rd seed won the next two to progress to the final 12-21, 21-12, 21-6.

The French still had a chance of at least one finalist, with Mathieu Lo Ying Ping playing Raul Must of Estonia in the second semi final. This time, the French had reason to celebrate as the 5^th seed defeated his Estonian opponent 21-19, 21-13 to set up a final with Tedjono.

The women’s singles had another Indonesian, Fransisca Ratnasari who played against Scotland’s Susan Egelstaff. Even though Ratanasari was the lower seed, she took the victory easily, 21-14, 21-14 to set up a match with the top seed, Petya Nedelcheva. The Bulgarian defeated unseeded Japanese player Tamaki Pujii 21-11, 21-16 to progress into the final.

The top two seeds in the mixed doubles safely progressed into the final also, Atrashenkov and Prus beating unseeded Swiss duo Dumartheray and Jaquet 21-13, 21-19 to book their place in the final. Second seeded Makarski and Dimova of Bulgaria had to defeat 5^th seeds Okvana and Megawati of Indonesia to progress into the final.

The women’s doubles would be an all-Japanese final, with the 3 seeds Eto and Wakita of Japan defeating the 2^nd seeded Kobtseva and Prus 21-15, 21-3 to go through to the final. Fukuman and Mitani defeated Mason and Cooper of Scotland 24-22, 21-15 to book their place in the final.

The men’s doubles would have another Indonesian influence, with Okvana and Putra defeating the second seeded Ellis and Mills in the semi final 21-17, 15-21, 21-14 to book their place in the final. They would play another English pair in the final, with Ellis and George beating Constantin and Vincent 21-18, 21-16.

The Finals took place on the same day, some 3 hours after the end of play in the semi finals. The first final was the mixed doubles between the top two seeds. The exchanged the first two games before the top seeded Ukrainians served out at 17-17 in the third to win 24-26, 21-17, 21-17.

The second final was the women’s singles final; yet again the pair shared the opening 2 games before the Indonesian defeated the top seeded Nedelcheva 21-15, 18-21, 21-14 in 62 minutes. The Indonesian success would continue in the men’s singles final, with 3^rd seeded Tedjono beating Lo Ying Ping of France 21-12, 21-11 to double Indonesia’s wins in the tournament.

The all-Japanese women’s doubles final was won by the 3^rd seeded Eto and Wakita over Fukuman and Mitani 21-14, 21-10. The final match was the men’s doubles and it was title number 3 for Indonesia as Okvana and Putra defeated Ellis and George 21-17, 21-23, 28-26 in a 64 minute classic.

Austrian International 2010 Final Results

Zwiebler Leads Germany to Semi-Finals

Men’s Event

With Denmark and Poland enjoying byes to the semi-finals, Germany, Russia, Ukraine and the Netherlands fought to become their opponents.

In the team tie between Germany and Russia the Germans drew first blood, and appeared to be positioned to run away with the tie, but things would not be that easy.  Denmark Super Series finalist Marc Zwiebler quickly disposed of his opponent Vladimir Malkov 21-9, 21-9, which was then followed by Marcel Reuter winning a squeaker over Vladimir Ivanov 22-20, 25-23.  Fabian Hammes was however unable to close out the tie losing badly to Stanislav Pukhov 21-14, 21-7.  The Russian’s first men’s doubles Durkin and Nikolaenko also did their jobs defeating Fuchs and Kindervarter 21-17, 21-15 to set up a fifth and final match.  Unfortunately for the Russians their comeback was for nothing as the German pair of Hopp and Schoettler pulled off the win over Dremin and Pukhov in three close games 16-21, 21-19, 21-15.  Germany will now face Denmark in the semi-finals.

The other quarter-final tie was not nearly as close however, with Ukraine defeating their Dutch opponents with relative comfort.  Dmytro Zavadsky defeated Rune Massing 21-12, 21-13, Valeriy Atrashchenkov defeated Lester Oey 21-12, 21-12, and the only close match was between Vladislav Druzchenko and Saber Afif with Druzchenko winning in three games 21-13, 19-21, 21-13 to seal the win 3-0.  Ukraine will now face Poland in their semi-finals.

Women’s Events

Once again the Danish team had an opportunity for rest as the were through with a bye to the semis alongside the Netherlands.  The Danes would face the winners of Germany and Bulgaria.  The Germans proved too strong for the Bulgarians winning in three straight matches.  Juliane Schenk led the way with her win over Petya Nedelcheva, followed by Karin Schnasse beating Linda Zetchiri, and finally Fabienne Deprez defeating Dimitria Popstoykova. The Germans will now face Denmark.

The next tie was between Russia and Scotland. The first women’s singles was between Ella Diehl and Susan Egelstaff who faced off against each other in the Scottish International in late 2009. In that meeting Egelstaff was the victor, but Diehl had her revenge winning easily 21-12, 21-12. Tatjana Bibik took the next point for Russia beating Linda Sloan 21-14, 21-9. Finally it was the Russian pairing of Vislova and Sorokina who would seal their team’s place in the semi-finals with a win over Bankier and Mason 21-11, 21-15. The Russians will now play the Netherlands.

Click here for full results from the European Team Championships 2010

Denmark Dominates European Field

Group A – Winners: Denmark

Their record to date stands immaculate, four 5-0 victories to the loss of just one game. All without even fielding Peter Gade. They are the nation to beat in this competition without a doubt and haven’t even been tested en route to the semi final after a rest day on Thursday.

Group B – Winners: Poland

Thursday night seen the winner-take-all match between Poland and England for a place in the knockout stages, after two tight three game encounters left Poland 2-0 up, Hubert Paczek completed the job in a two game victory over Carl Baxter. Poland next two games were marred by retirements in both games, with the last rubber match with Rafal Hawel leading after winning the first game.

Group C – Winners: Netherlands

The Dutch progression to the knockout rounds never looked in jeopardy, but their only two losses have both came from their #1 singles player, Rune Massing. Who will need to improve in order to defeat the Group F winners.

Group D – Winners: Germany

Germany’s progression was sealed in impressive fashion, with three 5-0 victories to the loss of just 2 games. With the singles players in excellent form ahead of their quarterfinal clash with Russia.

Group E – Winners: Russia

The Russian doubles have been unbeatable in group stage action, and their only defeats have come in the singles, Ivan Sozonov has not returned to action since his opening day retirement against Italy.

Group F: Winners – Ukraine

The Ukraine’s closest match came on the opening day in a 3-2 win over Wales, after trailing 2-1. Two 4-1 victories secured Ukraines place in the knockout round against the Netherlands.

Women’s Event

Group A – Winners: Denmark

Played 3, Won 3. Played 15 Games, Won 15. The Danish women are putting down a real marker that they are here to retain their title from 2008. They will have a rest day tomorrow before taking on the winner of Germany and Bulgaria.

Group B – Winners: Netherlands

For 20 minutes, Belgium was level with Netherlands 1-1 in their final group match and the Dutch qualification was under threat. They rallied back to win the next three and win the match 4-1 to ensure their place in the knockout round.

Group C – Winners: Russia

A rare outing for Nina Vislova in singles ensured Russia’s 4-1 victory over England to progress into the knockout stage, with their second doubles pairing loss in the final match being their only defeat in the group stage.

Group D – Winners: Germany

Only Karin Schnasse’s loss to Carolina Marin stops Germany going into the knockout stage with a perfect record. Juliane Schenk has been in fine form in the three singles matches to date.

Group E – Winners: Scotland

Scotland are the only nation in the knockout stage to have lost a match but still progressed. Susan Egelstaff posted her first victory of the event today against Anna Narel whilst Mason and Bankier have gone unbeaten in all three matches.

Group F – Winners: Bulgaria

Three 5-0 victories will ensure that the Bulgarians are not taken lightly in the knockout stage, as Germany will find out tomorrow. Bulgaria in 30 games of action have allowed just 297 points, under 10 points a game.

Knockout Stages:

Men’s Quarter Final

Germany vs. Russia

Projected Line-Ups

Zweibler vs. Malkov

Domke vs. Ivanov

Reuter vs. Pukhov

Schoettler/Hopp vs. Durkin/Nicolaenko

Kasbauer/Hoth vs. Dremin/Pukhov

Russia’s key to success if that they have to take one of the singles and go into the doubles, Zweibler and Malkov met in the 2009 Scottish Open where Zweibler won comfortably. The longer the match goes on, the better the chances are that the Russian’s will win as Durkin/Nicolaenko are one of the top partnerships in Europe at the moment.

Netherlands vs. Ukraine

Projected Line-Ups

Massing vs. Zavadsky

Oey vs. Atrashchenkov

Afif vs. Druzchenko

Ridder/Oey vs. Konov/Zavadsky

Arands/Khodabux vs. Atrashchenkov/Druzcenko

Ukraine need to take advantage of Massing’s form in the group stages, this is a match that Ukraine need to win early as most of their players are playing two matches and fatigue could be a defining factor.

Women’s Event

Germany vs. Bulgaria

Projected Line-Ups

Schenk vs. Nedelcheva

Schnasse vs. Zechiri

Deprez vs. Popstoykova

Overzier/Marinello vs. Nedelcheva/Popstoykova

Neite/Goliszewki vs. Dimova/Zechiri

This could be the closest match tomorrow, with the potential of this going down to the final rubber as real possibility. It could come down to who wins 2 of the 3 singles matches.

Scotland vs. Russia

Projected Line-Ups

Egelstaff vs. Diehl

Sloan vs. Bibik

Gilmour vs. Prokopenko

Mason/Bankier vs. Vislova/Sorokina

Cooper/Sloan vs. Pollikarpova/Prokopenko

Scotland will need another inspired performance from Susan Egelstaff to defeat Ella Diehl like in the 2009 Scottish Open, Emma Mason lost out to Sorokina and Vislova in the women’s double final in the Scottish Open last year. The match could be in the hands of 16-year old Kirsty Gilmour as Russia haven’t settled on their #3 singles player. Scotland need at least two singles victory to stand a chance.

Thursday’s complete results

Gade Leads Danish Squad

The top male and female players in Europe will represent their nations in the European Team Championships this week in Warsaw, Poland. Denmark are looking to defend both the Men and Women’s titles this week, but will face stern opposition from the likes of Germany, England and Netherlands.

Men’s Team Championships

Denmark

2008 Result – Winners

The winners from two years ago are again the favourites for the title in 2010, with the likes of Jan O Jorgensen, Joachim Persson and Peter Gade for the singles and in doubles, the 4^th ranked partnership in the world, Mogensen and Boe. In their group awaits Iceland, Finland, Hungary and Croatia. With the group winner receiving a bye in the Quarter Final.

Germany

2008 Result – 3^rd

Germany want to go one better than their 3-1 defeat in the semi final against Denmark in the 2008 Event. Marc Zweibler and Dieter Domke will have to live up to and play above their rankings of 16 and 73 for Germany to repeat their 2006 appearance in the final. A potential rematch against Denmark could await in the semi final this year.

Poland

2008 Result – 4^th

Poland has been on the rise for the last few years, with recent Super Series success in the mixed doubles. Wacha (#31 Rank) and Logosz and Mateusiak (#35 Rank) will need to perform at their best after being paired in a group with 2008 runners-up England. Thursday at 6pm will ultimately determine the winners of Group B.

England

2008 Result – 2^nd

Denmark’s biggest challenge will come from England, with Andrew Smith, Rajiv Ouseph and Carl Baxter being the strongest line-up for England’s singles could potentially shock the Danish. Experienced heads like Robert Blair, Anthony Clark and Nathan Robertson will be invaluable with a new young squad of players like Adcock, Wright and Middleton. Their big test in the group will undoubtedly be Poland on Thursday.

Women’s Team Championships

Denmark

2008 Result – Winners

Tine Rasmussen will be one of the stars on show in the Women’s Championship, the 10^th ranked player in the world will led off Denmark in the singles. Europe’s top ranked women’s double pairing, Kristiansen and Rytter Juhl will be the partnership to beat in the championships also. Like the men, they also a potential bye to the semi final if they win Group A, with Greece, Estonia and Czech Republic.

Netherlands

2008 Result – 2^nd

With Yao Jie and Judith Meulendijks out of the Championships, the Dutch are very much understrength in the singles. Patty Stolzenbach will need to regain the form that seen her reach the semi final of the Norwegian Open late last year for the Netherlands to have any chance to progress.

Germany

2008 Result – 3^rd

Juliane Schenk will lead the German team in Group D in the singles, with Marinello and Overzier being the top ranked all-German couple, however Nicole Grether is seeded higher in the world but with a Canadian partner, so Germany’s 2^nd doubles partnership could be just as strong as their first.

Scotland

2008 Result – 4^th

A surprise 4^th placed finish it might have been, but a full-fit Scottish squad will arrive in Warsaw. Emma Mason is back after an 18-month lay off, as well as Imogen Bankier returning to competitive competition after a knee injury. Susan Egelstaff is in the form of her life after winning the 2009 Scottish Open. However they are placed in a tough group with France, Poland and Ukraine.

The competition begins on Tuesday, February 16.

Tuesday’s order of play

Irish International Draws

Tomorrow the last EBU circuit tournament of 2009 begins in Dublin, Ireland as qualifying rounds for the Irish International begin. The competition at this year’s event will be quite strong, perhaps one of the toughest events of the circuit this year.

While last year’s mens singles champion Rajiv Ouseph has moved on up in the world, England’s Carl Baxter is still here hoping to retain the title for England once again. Hometown favourite Scott Evans however will be hoping to go one further this year as he lost in the finals last year. The top seed Przemyslaw Wacha is probably the top contender for the title in Dublin this year.

Larisa Griga is the one to beat in the womens singles, however second seeded Susan Egelstaff will be hoping to continue her winning ways after her big win in Glasgow two weeks ago. Other notable contenders for the title include Bulgaria’s Linda Zetchiri and Finland’s Anu Nieminen.

For full draws and to view ongoing results visit the draws below:
Irish International Championships 2009 Draws

Marc Zwiebler

The day started with two Scottish hopefuls in the final, unseeded Emma Mason and Mariana Agathangelou took on the top seeded Russian duo of Nina Vislova and Valeria Sorokina in the first final of the day. The local support rallied behind the British couple when they took a 12-11 lead early in the first set, only for the Russian pair to storm to the opening set 21-16.

The second set went much the same way as the first, with the Russian top seeds leading and refusing to let go of their lead, taking the second game 21-16 to claim the title. Marc Zweibler played Peter Mikkelsen in the Men’s Singles final, with both looking impressive on their way to the final.

Zweibler took a closely fought out first game 21-15, only for Mikkelsen to respond to take the second game by the same score but Zweibler dominated the final game and took it 21-16 to claim the Men’s Singles title.

The Men’s Doubles match turned into a fabulous encounter between the 3rd and 4th seeds, with the English 4th seeds of Middleton and Langridge taking a tight first game 21-19 and then saved 5 game points in the second but couldn’t get their own chance and lost the second game 26-24. The Danish 3rd seeds of Conrad-Petersen and Pieler Kolding dominated the third game and at 8-8 won 13 of the next 16 points to win the third game 21-11.

The mixed doubles was the most one-sided of the finals, with Valeria Sorokina and Alexander Nikolaenko defeating Raj and Renuga Veeran 21-11, 21-16 in just 23 minutes.  The last match of the day pitted the top two seeds in the women’s singles against each other, with Susan Egelstaff in her first Scottish International final.

Ella Diehl dominated the opening part of the first game, only for Egelstaff to respond and from 18-17 down took the next four points to take the first game 21-18. If the first game was a nervy encounter, the second game was a precession from the 2nd seed Scot. Ella Diehl’s level dropped dramatically and Egelstaff was in commanding form as she took the second game 21-10 to win her first Scottish International title.

Sunday’s Results

Marc Zwiebler

Play started at 10am with top seed Marc Zweibler in action against qualifier Joshua Green, the German being in fantastic form in his 21-17, 21-13 win and will play against Scotland’s Craig Goddard. 6th seed Vladimir Malkov was also impressive in his win over Tomas Kopriva.

Local interest will continue into the second round, with Kieran Merrilees, Martin Campbell, Calum Menzies, Stephen McPhail and Gordon Thomson all winning their opening round games. Second seed Przemyslaw Wacha was last on court but was perhaps the most impressive in the opening round, winning 21-6, 21-14 against Rohan Midha.

The top seeds in the Women’s Singles will be in action tomorrow, with top seed Ella Diehl playing Perrine Lebuhanic and second seed Susan Egelstaff playing Belgian Stefanie Bertels. With local interest also coming in the way of Kirsty Gilmour, after a first round walkover.

Play begins tomorrow with top seeds Durkin and Vislova playing Scottish pair Keith Turnbull and Kirsten Geals, second seed Claes and Descamps have pulled out, leaving the bottom half of the draw wide open.

Day 1 seen only two seeds lost; will the dominance end on Friday? Play begins at 10am.
Scottish International Championships Draws

Susan Egelstaff begins the quest for her first Scottish Open this week with arguably her easiest draw to the later years in all the years she has been playing the event. The second seed will play the winner of Stefanie Bertels and Lubomira Stoymora in the second round after receiving a first round bye.

Top seed Ella Diehl plays the winner of Huwaina Razi and Perrine Lebuhanic, the news of Olga Konon withdrawing from the event is another boost to Egelstaff’s hopes, with the Pole recently reaching the French Super Series quarter final.

Marc Zweibler comes into the Men’s Singles as the top seed; his opening round match is against qualifier Joshua Green. Local interest will be with 9th seeded Kieran Merrilees for a chance of a Scottish victory, he plays Sam Phiillips in Round 1.

The Mixed Doubles draw has been opened up in the lower half of the draw with the withdrawal of 2nd seeds Claes and Descamps, allowing Scottish pair Paul Van Rietvelde and Emma Mason to progress into Round 1.

Play begins at 10am local time with Marc Zweibler starting play, with the first round of the Men’s and Women’s Singles and Doubles being completed on Day 1.

Thursday’s Order Of Play
Scottish International Championships 2009 Draws

The new EBU season begins once more in Antwerp with the Belgian International, with local interest in many of the events this week. For some, it will be their first competition of the season but for most of the seeds it will be a return to European soil after their World Championship excursion.

The Men’s singles is headed by England’s Carl Baxter, with Stephan Wojcikiewicz seeded 6th for the event also. Top seeded Baxter will play Austrian Michael Lahnsteiner in Round 1, with second seeded Marc Zweibler playing Rune Massing of Holland in the opening round.

The Women’s Singles has several players that progressed to the last 32 in the World Championships, led by top seed Ella Diehl from Russia. Diehl will play a qualifier in Round 1. Second seeded Yao Jie of Holland also progressed to the second round in India; she plays Croatian Andrea Zvorc in Round 1 in Belgium.

Third seed Larisa Griga lost to World Champion Lu Lan in Round 1 in India, she will play a qualifier in Round 1, Susan Egelstaff lost to Wang Yihan in Round 2 at the World Championships, and she starts her campaign in Belgium against Claudia Mayer of Austria.

Another one to watch in the ladies draw is 7th seeded Lianne Tan, winner of th Junior event in February and also reaching the last 32 of the World Championships at just 18 years old.

The big local hopes is in the Womens Doubles, with Steffi Annys and Severine Corvilain being seeded 1 for the event, They have a first round bye however the pair come into the event failing to win a match since the Polish Open in March.

Wouter Claes is seeded 3 for the Mens Doubles with Frederic Mawet and seeded 2 for the Mixed with Natalie Deschamps. He comes into the event after losing in both events in India in the opening round in 3 sets.

The Belgian International Open begins on Thursday, September 3.

Belgian International Open Draws