FRENCH INT’L – Blair and Bankier back with a bang

Robert Blair and Imogen Bankier scooped the title of the French International for their first match together under the Scottish banner, nearly 4 years after having last played together. Beatriz Corrales and Rajiv Ouseph won the singles events.

Raphael Sachetat live from Orleans. Photos: Yohan Nonotte for Badmintonphoto

“It”s like putting old shoes back on.” Imogen Bankier’s simile could not have been more apt as she described the way she and Robert Blair fit together on court. It’s been close to 4 years since the duo last played together.  At the time, in 2009, Robert Blair was playing under the English banner. They had beaten the Thai pair Anugritayawon and Voravichitchakul before bowing to Olympic Champions Lee Yong Dae and Lee Hyo Jung.

Since then, they have partnered different players – Imogen Bankier finding success as she was World Championship runner-up in 2011. Four years apart and hardly a week of practise behind them, and the duo scooped the title in Orleans.

“We played so long together that we know each other well, so it’s easy to find our marks,” said Imogen.

“She was a young player at the time, but now, she’s a complete player.  It’s a pleasure to play with her,” added Robert Blair.

On court, the Scottish duo left hardly any chance to Alyssa Lim and Marcus Ellis from England and came away with a 21-17, 21-17 win.

“We are really pleased with this performance this week. We are preparing for the Sudirman Cup so it’s good to do well here. We’ll see how it goes for the Commonwealth Games whether we’ll keep playing together. All options are open, either with Robert or Paul,” added Bankier.

The Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next summer, in 2014, could be a good opportunity for Scotland to shine at home in mixed doubles.

The rest of the finals saw winners of different nations in a beautiful setting – Orleans proved this week that they were up to the standard of their new status – International Challenge – with a set up that was close to what can be seen in Grand Prix or Grand Prix Gold events.

In the women’s doubles, Japan’s Eto and Wakita took the edge over Malaysia’s Anscelly/Soong 21-17, 21-17.

Beatriz Corrales from Spain worked wonders this weekend, beating in-form Olga Konon from Germany. Konon, who had been injured for a long time, played very well this week but committed too many mistakes in the final, while Corrales – who plays for the French club of Chambly – was focused and very aggressive. The latter won the match 21-18, 21-15.

In the men’s singles, Danish young gun Flemming Quach had a great week in Orleans, enjoying back-to-back wins over Toby Penty and Eric Pang, before facing Rajiv Ouseph from England in the final. The Englishman mastered the game, with some impressive changes of rhythm, while Quach was nailing some smashes in the net. Ouseph won the battle 21-15, 21-15 but Quach is a name to remember for the future.

Last but not least, Poland’s Wacha and Cwalina beat France’s Mittelheisser and Careme – both pairs were playing their last match together as pairs will be shuffled soon. The Polish were stronger and faster and took the match 21-18, 21-16.

All results here