IRISH INT’L SF – Doubles gold in sight for Adcock

Chris Adcock (pictured with Andrew Ellis) has most to gain come Sunday’s final at the Irish International in Dublin as the English ace, along with new partners Imogen Bankier and Andrew Ellis, were relentless as they stormed through to both the mixed and men’s doubles final. It was the end of the road for the Irish contingent as the Magees failed to advance beyond the semi-final as normal business resumed with Denmark and England flexing their semi-final muscles.

Article and images by Mark Phelan (Live in Dublin)

Changes aplenty has been the order of recent months within the GB team and many of the new pairings had come to Dublin this week to test the water. Fresh from their victory in Scotland, Chris Adcock and Imogen Bankier were always going to have one eye on the top prize come Sunday and, even though unseeded, must be favourites to lift the title after destroying Croatian pair Durkinjac and Poznanvic in today’s semi.

“We played well again today as we have all week. We have gelled pretty well since coming together and today I had flames coming off me. We had it all right today, mentally tactically and physically,” said a happy Bankier exclusively to Badzine.  Standing in their way of gold is Danish pair Christian Skovgaard and Britta Andersen, who ended the dreams of the Magee siblings, Sam and Chloe, as the Irish pair had little or nothing left in the tank after a strong week’s work.

Adcock will be hoping to head home to the UK on Sunday night with double gold as he and Andrew Ellis have been showing electric form this week in Dublin and they will certainly fancy their chances in Sunday’s final as they square up in an all-English battle against Anthony Clark and new partner Chris Langridge. The veteran English ace announced this week that he will not play any more men’s doubles with long-time friend Nathan Robertson as both men bid to qualify for the London Olympics in just one event.

In the men’s singles, Hans Kristian Vittinghus confirmed his number 1 seeding as he overcame the flamboyant French number 3 seed Matthieu Lo Ying Ping in what was probably the most entertaining match in today’s semi-final. Entertainment is always guaranteed with the Frenchman as both he and Vittinghus put on a show of top badminton for the Irish fans.

“I had fun today. This was a really fun match to play in and I think both Matthieu (Lo Ying Ping) and I really enjoyed it. The some great rallies and really badminton was the winner today. I am where I want to be now and for sure I want to follow up my win in Norway with a victory here in Ireland. I will certainly be ready and will give it my best,” said Vittinghus.

The Dane will meet Pablo Abian in tomorrow’s final as the super-fit Spaniard ran number 3 seed Ville Lang into the ground in a strength-sapping 3-set battle. It was Lang who hit the ground running with the first set win but once Abian levelled at one apiece there was only going to be one winner after that as stamina, strength and fitness prevailed.

In the women’s singles, the 2009 champion Carolina Marin gave all she had in an effort to defend her title but ultimately went down fighting against Susan Egelstaff (pictured above) of Scotland. The Scot will play the diminutive Dane Karina Jorgensen in Sunday’s final as once again Denmark ended the Irish dream as Jorgensen ran out an easy 2-set winner over Chloe Magee.

Finally the women’s doubles final will be a repeat of the 2009 edition as Olver and Agathangelou (pictured) go to battle once again against Skelbaek and Helsbol as both pairs overcame stiff French resistance to reach the final.

For all results click HERE