YONEX Welsh International: Grimley Brothers Men’s Doubles Champions
By Grania Shankley
After their “career best win” at the AIG FZ Forza Irish Open less than three weeks ago… Christopher and Matthew Grimley have done it again, this time in Cardiff at the Welsh International.
A huge well done to Matt and Chris who have built momentum into the latter end of the season, showing their training, preparation and tactical work paying off!
Seeded 3rd in the tournament, the Grimley’s displayed a run of convincing wins after coming back from a set down to win 3-2 in round 1 of the main draw.
They kicked on in the next three games against Bulgarian, Spanish and French opposition – winning all of these matches in two sets.
The twins then came up against 4th seeds, German Duo Bjarne Geiss and Jan Colin Voelker in the final – a pair who knocked out number 1 seeds in the semis, ending hopes of a repeat of the Irish Open final in Dublin (Grimley/Grimley v Sondergaard/Toft).
In the final, Geiss and Voelker came out on top in the first set (18-21) but Matt and Chris fought their way back in the second (21-16).
The third and final set took the match duration to just over an hour and it was Matt and Chris who carried the edge (17-21), claiming the Men’s Double title for 2023!
A big shout out to each and every one of our 22 Scottish players who competed in the Welsh International this year!
Well done to Shaun Ally Amir, Rachel Andrew, Salim Ben Boudinar, Katrina Chan, Jordan Edgar, Sophie Ford, Chris Grimley, Matt Grimley, Hailey Ho, Finlay Jack, Evan Kenny, Jack MacGregor, Angus Meldrum, Lauren Middleton, Eleanor O’Donnell, Adam Pringle, James Robertson, Sarah Sidebottom, Brooke Stalker, Katie Stewart, Rachel Sugden, and Josh Taylor.