Swiss Open: Faizal/Widjaja Crash Early

Indonesian mixed pair Hafiz Faizal and Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja continued their poor recent form by becoming the biggest casualties of the YONEX Swiss Open 2021 first round yesterday.

The second seeds, who also struggled to make an impact at the HSBC BWF World Tour 2020 season finale’s three-tournament Asian Leg in January, fell to Indian world No.19s Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Ashwini Ponnappa 21-18 21-10.

Eighth seeds Robin Tabeling/Selena Piek also had a shortlived campaign, losing 20-22 23-21 16-21 to Russians Rodion Alimov/Alina Davletova.

On Day 1 of competition at the St. Jakobshalle that saw only mixed doubles action, the rest of the seeded pairs had little trouble in booking their berths in the next round of the season’s opening event.

Marcus Ellis/Lauren Smith, Thom Gicquel/Delphine Delrue, Goh Soon Huat/Lai Shevon Jemie and Tan Kian Meng/Lai Pei Jing all won their matches in straight games.

Top seeds Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying were however stretched but experience helped them prevail 21-15 15-21 21-19 against scratch Thai pairing of Nipitphon Phuangphuapet and Benyapa Aimsaard.

Seventh seeds and 2018 winners Mark Lamsfuss/Isabel Herttrich were also taken to a decider by battling Scots Adam Hall/Julie Macpherson before making sure of their progress with a 20-22 21-19 21-16 win.

DAY 1 RESULTS

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