While a lot of Europe’s best are recovering from a competitive week at the European Championships, it’s back to work for many of Europe’s journeyman, as they head off to Auckland for the 25th edition of the New Zealand Open.
There has not been a European winner in any of their events since England’s Andrew Smith won the men’s singles in 2004. But there are several strong entrants that can at least make an impact BWF World Tour Super 300 tournament.
Looking to be only the fourth European winner in this event is Turkey’s Neslihan Yigit, who leads the European charge in the women’s singles. Semi-finals at the Austrian Open and quarter-finals showing at the Orleans Masters is all the Turkish number one has to show so far in 2018.
Yigit will be looking for a lot of success this week. But first, the world number 40 must first get through England’s Georgina Bland.England’s number three has had a few wins to shout out in this current campaign, and an upset win over Yigit will certainly be one of the biggest wins of her career.
Sadly from a European perspective, our two other competitors in the women’s singles are also dawn to face each other in the opening round. While Jaquet is aiming to carry on her strong 3rd round showing at the European Championships, Polikarpova is looking to regain her form that saw her win the Estonian International back in January.
See also: Jaquet: It is coming back
In a men’s singles draw that is lead by China’s Lin Dan,there is realistically little hope for anyone else to take the title. But the European players that will be looking for a week to remember is Israel’s Misha Zilberman and Czech Republic’s Milan Ludik and Adam Mendrek.
It is been a mixed bag 2018 for Zilberman so far, and the 29 year old will be looking to topple some of Asia’s best. That includes ousting third seeded player B. Sai Praneeth from India in the opening round.
As for Ludik, they will be looking for their first win in over a month, and Mendrek will be looking to recover after their defeat to Viktor Axelsen in the European Championships.
In qualifying, Luxembourg’s Robert Mann will be looking to make the main draw and secure a first singles of the year.
See also: Misha Zilbermain aiming for top 40
Zilberman and Polikarpova will be joining forces for the first time, as they will be also be competing in the mixed doubles.
The men’s doubles may not currently have a European competitor in the main draw. But Denmark’s relatively unknown Jakob Lindqvistwill be looking to eradicate that. He will be partnering with New Zealander Christopher Steeghs.
Unfortunately, there is no European participation in the women’s doubles.
For a full list of the draws, click here.