FRENCH OPEN 2017 R32 – Big scare for Ng Ka Long

The top Hong-Kong player had a huge scare during his 1^st round match against Brazil’s Ygor Coelho, saving two match points to eventually gain his ticket towards the second round of the Yonex French Super Series. While former winner Chou Tien Chen didn’t get the same luck as he was easily ousted by the Korean youngster Jeon Hyeok Jin.

By Tarek Hafi, Badzine correspondent live in Paris.  Photos: Badmintonphoto (live)

Ng Ka Long by a short margin

Owner of one of the most beautiful stories in the world of badminton, Ygor Coelho (pictured right) found his way out of Brazil’s infamous favelas, towards the international badminton scene.  Going from the Olympics on home soil, to Club Greve in Denmark where he developed his game, Ygor seems to be at the beginning of a successful road. 

Now in France, the Brazilian talent came extremely close to defeat the world #9 on Wednesday, even earning several match points against Ng Ka Long (pictured top), until the Hong Kong player’s experience raised its voice and Ng sealed the match in his favour.

“I really don’t know how I came back and saved those match points.  I am still in disbelief!  I know Ygor’s story and he is someone I respect so much.  I really admire him,” commented Ng Ka Long after his match.

The Brazilian, known for his constant smile, did not disappoint and came out extremely positive about the experience he can acquire with such an encounter: “I am really happy with my level.  I enjoyed the match!  I was really close but in the end it was only about experience.  It is my second time playing someone from the top ten and I can’t believe I was about to beat him,” reacted Ygor after his match, all smiling after this incredible adventure.

Still, it’s only the beginning for the Brazilian who will certainly appear more often on the bigger stage: “I believe I have a chance to be in the top ten and enjoy even more badminton because it’s a lovely sport!” concluded Ygor Coelho, who will stay in France until next May, training with the French national team.

Chou Tien Chen out!

A few matches afterwards, Korea’s Jeon Hyeok Jin (pictured) left absolutely no chances to the former French Open Superseries winner Chou Tien Chen as he ousted him in straight games 21-8, 21-12.  Chou Tien Chen being one of the crowd favourites, Jeon held his nerves and kept on playing a clever game to come out winner and maintain his unbeaten record against the Taiwan player.

“My ranking has dropped a lot in the last few months and I really needed to put on better performances to come back to my former level but I still can’t believe I won that way today!” admitted a delighted Jeon Hyeok Jin.

The Korean is now scheduled to play Qiao Bin after the Chinese player’s tough victory over France’s Thomas Rouxel for a place in the last eight.  As with Chou, whom Jeon defeated in their only previous encounter, at the 2015 Universiade, Qiao Bin lost his only meeting with the Korean #3.  The one time they played was at the Thailand Open two years ago.

Tough one for the Mads men

Denmark’s elite Mads Conrad Petersen and Mads Pieler Kolding (pictured) met some difficulties in their first round match at the Stade Pierre de Coubertin against the English pair, Peter Briggs and Tom Wolfenden.  Despite a first game in their bucket, the English pair came back to earn the second game and clearly took the lead in the rubber, before the world #6 reorganised their game.

“I had a really good partner today.  When we were trailing, he served perfectly and that gave me a lot of confidence.  I just had some simple shots to do, so hopefully we will be able to play a little bit better tomorrow,” confessed a relieved Mads Pieler Kolding, before running to get ready for his second round match against a pair they have never played, India’s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.

Last year a final, today a first round match

As the draw can be on some occasions very cruel, fate set He Bingjiao and Zhang Biewen to meet from the very first day, despite the two having played here last year in the final. While the rematch almost had its score changed compare to last year, China’s He Bingjiao (pictured bottom) found the perfect timing to reverse the game and dug herself out to emerge winner again after a three-game battle 18-21, 21-16, 21-15.

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