Tournament Preview: YONEX Luxembourg Open 2026

A strong Scottish squad heads to Luxembourg City this week for the YONEX Luxembourg Open, a competitive stop on the international circuit that continues to attract a deep and diverse field. With a seven-player team in attendance, Scotland will also benefit from the experience courtside of former England and Team GB men’s singles player Rajiv Ouseph, who joins the group in a coaching role for the event.

There is immediate Scottish interest from the opening morning on Thursday. The very first match on Court 1 features an All-Celtic clash in mixed doubles, as Josh Taylor and Ishbel McCallister face Ireland’s Scott Guildea and Rachael Darragh in the qualifying round of 16. It’s a tie that promises intensity from the outset, with both pairs eager to secure early momentum.

Attention then shifts to the men’s singles later in the day, where three Scottish players begin their qualification campaigns. Each will need to come through three rounds to reach the main draw, making Thursday a pivotal test.

James Robertson, fresh from reaching the main draw at the Malta International last week, faces a stern opening challenge against highly regarded Malaysian teenager Hek Fung Branson Hee, currently ranked around world number 300. Scheduled as the sixth match on Court 1, it’s a contest that will demand composure and consistency.

Eighth on the same court, Angus Meldrum takes on France’s Raphael Chenu, another difficult matchup against an opponent ranked just outside the top 350. Immediately following that, Matthew Waring steps on court to face Poland’s Mateusz Danielak. The Scot can take confidence from their previous meeting at the Estonian International earlier this year, where Waring secured a straight-sets victory.

Friday sees Scotland’s representation expand into the main draws. Evan Kenny and Josh Taylor begin their men’s doubles campaign, while Brooke Stalker and Ishbel McCallister take to the courts in the women’s doubles, both pairings aiming to make a strong impression against international opposition. Brooke and Evan will also start their mixed doubles campaign from the main draw on Friday.

With a blend of emerging talent and experienced guidance, Scotland enters the week with quiet confidence and multiple storylines to follow across disciplines. Fans can watch the action live on Badminton Europe TV: https://www.badmintoneurope.tv/en-int/page/home-badminton-europe.