The Hong Kong Open has commenced today with the qualification rounds and the first mixed doubles round.
Chris and Gabby Adcock faced a tough pair in China’s Lu Kai and Chen Lu. The English pair have fond memories of Hong Kong, as they won their only Superseries title here back in 2013. The same year that the pair married. They would also have taken some confidence from their two previous encounters going their way. Although both matches were tight three game affairs.
Also, in both matches, the Adcocks took the opening game. However today, it was Lu and Chen who took the initiative, protecting an early lead and securing the first game with four consecutive points.
This gave a different feel to the match, with the Adcocks needing to turn the game in their favour. They did just that, reaching 20-17 in the second game. But the Chinese pair did not lay down and saved three game points, and then having two agonising match points of their own. At 23-22 to the Chinese, there was a controversy around a call that required the tournament referee to step in. It was not clear as to the exact claim with Lu and Chen thinking they had won and were ready to shake hands, but it was given as 23-23.
The Adcocks were able to compose themselves and convert their next two chances for a big 25-23 game win.
The decider
In the decider, they began with a four point surge, and we able to remain ahead and take the match, needing just one match point this time.
Chris and Gabby Adcock, who are unseeded in Hong Kong, will now face the Indonesian pair of Hafiz Faizal and Gloria Widjaja. They won their last in encounter back in the 2018 Denmark Open comfortably. However, Faizal and Widjaja are having a great year, with five semi-finals and a final on the BWF World Tour. Therefore, Thursday’s match will be very different this time around and a close one to call.
For the full results and fixtures, click here.