FINLAND – Li and Bruce take back their spot

In the war for the only spot for Pan American women’s doubles, Canada’s Michelle Li and Alex Bruce took an important step towards the Olympic qualification as they secured a title in the Finnish Open while their three other rivals were competing in Helsinki as well.  Li and Bruce beat Malaysia’s Lee and Chow 21-19, 12-21, 21-16 to clinch the 4000 points given for an International Challenge and should then pass Lee and Obanana from the USA.

It was a good day for Great Britain as Rajiv Ouseph and Adcock/Bankier won the title in men’s singles and mixed doubles respectively, while Yao Jie beat Michelle Li in the final of the women’s singles. The Dutch veteran is trailing just behind Pi Hongyan for a seeding spot in the Olympics (top 16) and might see this victory as a way to go past her former compatriot. Russia’s Sozonov and Ivanov beat their compatriots Nikolaenko/Ukk in men’s doubles.

Results

WS: Jie Yao (NED) beat Michelle Li  (CAN) 22-20, 21-19
MS: Rajiv Ouseph (ENG) beat Henri Hurskainen (SWE) 21-18, 16-21, 21-18
WD: Alex Bruce / Michelle Li (CAN) beat Mei Kuan Chow / Meng Yean Lee 21-19, 12-21, 21-16
MD: Vladimir Ivanov / Ivan Sozonov (RUS) beat Nikolaj Nikolaenko / Nikolai Ukk  21-10, 21-16
XD: Chris Adcock / Imogen Bankier (ENG/SCO) beat Anders Skaarup Rasmussen / Sara Thygesen  22-24, 21-12, 21-13

All results HERE