The Dutch Open kicked off today with the qualification rounds. Despite the small qualification draw the audience enjoyed exciting and interesting matches.

In women’s singles both finalists from the Polish International just two weeks ago proceeded to main draw. 

“Reaching the final of the Polish International has given me much confidence. I played well the last couple of weeks” commented Jordan Hart (Wales) to Badminton Europe. She added: "The only thing is that I played a lot of long matches in Poland which had made me tired in the final. That is why I am happy I won in straight sets so I can save some energy for tomorrow’" The Welsh number 1 will face Mette Poulsen (Denmark) tomorrow. 

Polish International winner Ayla Huser (pictured above) was less satisfied with her game today.  “I tend to put too much pressure on myself. But this match was a good lesson to make the needed changes tomorrow”.  The Swiss will play against Luise Heim from Germany in the main draw. "I have nothing to lose"Huser says.

Elsewhere Russia’s Olga Akhangelskaya advanced to the main draw after a long hard fought match against Cedrine Hantz of Switzerland.

A beginning and a goodbye for mixed doubles pairs

Lise Jacques and Freek Golinski (pictured above) from Belgium have recently paired up and are progressing well. After reaching the semi-finals in Slovenia, they now have reached the main draw of the Dutch Open Grand Prix after victory today over Alex Vlaar and Iris Tabeling, the Dutch woman being a former winner in Almere. "We will play more tournaments in the future and see how that will work out" they stated.

Sarah Walker and Sean Vendy from England have also reached the main draw in mixed doubles. Dutch Open is however their last tournament together as they will focus more on their doubles events afterwards.  

German’s proceed in men’s singles and Russian’s in men’s doubles

Three German single players have proceeded to main draw in men’s singles: Peter Lang, Jonathan Persson and Max Weisskirchen (pictured above). It is a welcome return for Weisskirchen after an absence from the circuit. Who will forget his run to the final of the European junior championships in 2015. In men’s doubles Russian pairs Vitalij Durkin/Vladimir Malkov and Nikita Khakimov/Andrey Parakhodin will be playing tomorrow in men’s doubles main draw after qualification success today. 

For all results from today’s qualification rounds in Almere click HERE

For a Facebook photo gallery from Day 1 at Dutch Open click HERE

To re visit the action on demand via our YouTube channel click HERE

Article by Mireille Van Daal (Live in Almere) Photos by Mark Phelan for Badminton Europe