Scottish Open day two: Defending champions Hall and Dunn lead home charge

Day Two at the 2021 Scottish Open brought further home success in front of a lively Glasgow crowd at the Emirates Arena.

2019 champions Alex Dunn and Adam Hall made the perfect start to their title defence with a 21-13, 21-12 win over Koon Fung Kelvin Ho and Pak Yu Ng.

Having made history at the last event by becoming the first home pair to win the men’s doubles for 36 years, this time around the duo were just happy to get through without any drama.

“That was probably the most comfortable first round we’ve ever had,” said Hall following the win. “Certainly here in the men’s doubles it is.

“We were happy to control the match throughout. We expected to be the better pair, but the better pair doesn’t always win.

“Hopefully it is the start of another good run here.”

Dunn added: “It is quite a nice feeling (to be back as defending champions)

“I don’t think it changes much in terms of our mindset. We know we still need to be on our game because we have a lot of good pairs in this tournament.

“We are just looking forward to trying and repeating that performance in the next round.”

Both were also in mixed doubles action during day two. Dunn and his partner Ciara Torrance got past Emil Hybel and Imke van der Aar, while second seeds Hall and Julie MacPherson won an all-Scottish tie with Christopher Grimley and Eleanor O’Donnell.

Torrance and MacPherson also had to deal with a women’s doubles round of 32 tie against Malaysia’s NG Qi Xuan and Desiree Hao Shan Siow, but showed no signs of fatigue winning, 21-12, 21-13.

There was disappointment for former two-time winner and local hero Kirsty Gilmour.

She was forced to retire injured after winning the opening two points of her first round encounter against the recent Irish Open winner Wen Chi Hsu.

Gilmour later revealed she was suffering with a recent knee injury to the extent she was unable to compete on court, allowing the Chinese Taipei player a straight pass into round two.

Also in the women’s singles draw, Dundee’s Lauren Middleton made an excellent start against American Esther Shi – winning the opener by five clear points.

But the resilient Shi forced a decider and Middleton, who came through qualifying with two victories on Thursday, was eventually edged out, 16-21, 21-10, 21-14.

Back in the men’s doubles Joshua Apiliga and Callum Smith were up against India’s experienced pair of Tarun Kona and Shivam Sharma.

The young Scottish team put up a brave fight but ended up going down, 21-16, 21-12.

But eighth seeds and fellow countryman Christopher and Matthew Grimley managed to get through an epic opening round clash with Malaysia’s Xin Yuan Boon and Tien Ci Wong.

The twin brothers looked to be cruising to a comfortable victory, before a late rally in the second game from their opponents almost turned the tide.

But the 21-year-olds survived four game points to win a thriller, 21-14, 26-24, and receive one of the biggest cheers of the afternoon.

“We are really happy to get through because that was a tricky match,” said Matthew.

“It felt like we were in control for the first set and a half and then out of nowhere the Malaysians started to play much better.

“We managed to save a couple of game points which was could, so we are really pleased to get it done in two.

“We also didn’t know much about them going into the match, because they have played with separate partners, so that always makes it tricky.

“The crowd were really good and I think gave us an extra boost. “

They will now meet Apiliga and Smith’s conquerors, Kona and Sharma, later this evening for a place in the last eight.

The Scottish Open Badminton Championships is being staged at the Emirates Arena by Badminton Scotland with support from Glasgow City Council, Glasgow Life, Event Scotland and Yonex. Full results are at www.tournamentsoftware.com, and tickets are on sale at https://badmintonscotland.org.uk/tickets/