Spirited Display from the Grimleys in Council Bluffs
30th June 2025 by Robert McLean
Matt and Chris Grimley made a determined return to international competition last week, launching the first leg of their North American tour at the YONEX US Open in Iowa. After a brief break from tournament action following the STATE Denmark Challenge in May, the Scottish twins showcased resilience, chemistry, and moments of real class in what proved to be a positive start to their summer campaign.
Drawn against Canadian duo Kiren Milan Deraj and Victor Ho in the round of 32, the Grimley’s wasted no time in asserting their dominance. From the opening rallies, the twins displayed sharp court coverage, quick exchanges at the net, and effective use of angles, allowing them to dictate play and maintain pressure throughout. Their consistent play and tactical execution saw them cruise to a 21-10, 21-9 straight-sets victory in just under half an hour.
It was a textbook display of control and precision, reflecting the preparation and focus the pair have maintained since their last appearance in Europe.
The round of 16 presented a significant step up in competition as the Grimley’s faced off against Cheng Kuan Chen and Bing-Wei Lin of Chinese Taipei — an experienced and well-drilled pair known for their speed and tactical intelligence. The opening set was a tense and enthralling affair, with both pairs exchanging leads in a high-quality contest. The Scottish duo edged the set 22-20, showing composure under pressure and clever shot variation.
However, the second set saw the Taipei pair raise their level, capitalising on small lapses and extending rallies to test the Scots’ endurance. Despite some impressive resistance, Matt and Chris narrowly lost the second set 21-18, setting up a decisive third.
Fatigue and momentum shifts played a part in the final set, as Chen and Lin continued to apply relentless pace and pressure. While the Grimley’s fought valiantly, they were ultimately edged out 21-13, bringing an end to their run in Iowa — but not without leaving a strong impression.
Although their tournament ended in the round of 16, there was plenty to be encouraged by — not least their improved attacking play and coordination under pressure. With the North American swing only just beginning, the twins now look ahead to their next opportunity: the YONEX Canada Open, taking place this week in Markham, Ontario.
A quick turnaround gives them little time to dwell on what might have been, but ample motivation to build on their strong showing. The Canadian Open will feature a deeper field and stiffer competition, yet the form shown in Iowa bodes well for their chances.
A full tournament preview will be available on the website. For now, we wish Matt and Chris the very best as they head north to Canada with renewed determination and plenty of belief.
