Mixed Doubles Drama in Group B – Day 2 Session 1: Rio 2016

The ‘group of death’ – Mixed Doubles Group B – lived up to its billing with two sensational results thisLogo morning.

Poland’s Robert Mateusiak and Nadiezda Zieba avenged a hurt that’s been with them for four years, knocking down China’s Xu Chen/Ma Jin; Great Britain’s Chris Adcock/Gabrielle Adcock then threw the group wide open shocking Denmark’s Joachim Fischer Nielsen/Christinna Pedersen.

Mateusiak and Zieba’s last Olympics in London had ended bitterly for them, as they had blown a match point in the quarter-finals against the Chinese. Displaying the same tactical cleverness that they had employed in their opening match yesterday, Mateusiak and Zieba drew the sting out of their opponents and looked set for a fairytale victory at 20-18 in the third. After the Chinese saved the first match point, Mateusiak decided this was going to be his moment.

2day_Chris Adcock

“At 19-20 I played soft and was alert for the shuttle and I finished it with my favourite drive,” he said. “I’ve learned from our last loss. Last time I waited for the shuttle, but this time I was ready for it. It’s a shame we didn’t do this four years ago.”

“We’ve waited four years for this,” Zieba added. “This match was our revenge. Despite losing the first game we knew the second would be better. We were still feeling the effects of yesterday’s match in our legs.”

Not long after, the Adcocks displayed great temperament in shrugging off a close second game loss to storm2day_Eefje Muskens & Selena Piek back against Fischer and Pedersen for their first victory over the Danes in five matches.

“We couldn’t have asked for a harder group,” said Gabrielle Adcock. “It’s turned out to be the most exciting group. It was really difficult to come to terms with yesterday’s loss after holding match point. We thought about how we’d performed and we knew we had to put the loss behind us. We knew we had played great, and if we continued the same way, we had a chance. We’re very confident now.”

Yonex All England champions Praveen Jordan/Debby Susanto and defending Olympic gold medallists Zhang Nan/Zhao Yunlei (China) ensured their place in the quarter-finals by winning their second straight match in Group A. Zhang/Zhao were untroubled by Hong Kong’s Lee Chun Hei/Chau Hoi Wah, while Jordan/Susanto were equally dismissive of Germany’s Michael Fuchs/Birgit Michels.

In Men’s Doubles, World champions Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan fell to the rampaging form of Japan’s Hiroyuki Endo/Kenichi Hayakawa 21-17 16-21 21-14 in the most difficult group (D) of the category. Group C saw a surprise result, with Great Britain’s Chris Langridge/Marcus Ellis prevailing in a nervy finish to beat third seeds Kim Gi Jung/Kim Sa Rang (Korea) on their fifth match point.

Top seeds Lee Yong Dae/Yoo Yeon Seong (Korea) survived a difficult encounter against Chinese Taipei’s Lee Sheng Mu/Tsai Chia Hsin – the relief on converting match point was evident as the two Koreans celebrated as if they’d won the tournament.

2day_Scott EvansThe big surprise in Women’s Singles was the upset of Hong Kong’s Yip Pui Yin by Estonia’s Kati Tolmoff: 5-21 21-13 21-19. Czech Republic’s Kristina Gavnholt also promised an upset, but Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi recovered from a first-game loss to prevail in three.

In Women’s Doubles, Dutch duo Eefje Muskens and Selena Piek confirmed their berth in the quarter-finals by beating India’s Jwala Gutta/Ashwini Ponnappa in Group A: 21-16 16-21 21-17.

“It means the world to qualify for the quarter-finals,” said Piek. “We were a bit tense in the third, we started thinking too much and I was struggling with my serve. They’re a bit different from other pairs – it’s mostly short rallies and they play tactical. Physically and mentally, we’re in the best shape we’ve ever been.”

Top seeds Misaki Matsutomo/Ayaka Takahashi were the other quarter-final qualifiers from Group A with their defeat of Thailand’s Sapsiree Taerattanachai/Puttita Supajirakul.

Korea’s Chang Ye Na/Lee So Hee also won their second straight match, beating Johanna Goliszewski/Carla Nelte in an hour-long bout in Group D. Malaysia’s Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei likewise confirmed their quarter-finals spot with an easy 21-15 21-13 result over Hong Kong’s Poon Lok Yan/Tse Ying Suet.

Ireland’s Scott Evans pulled off his career’s first win over Germany’s Marc Zwiebler in Men’s Singles Group K, and hinted it could’ve been nerves that got the better of his opponent.

“I’ve trained with him a lot of times and never beaten him. He’s won eight matches against me. He was leading me in the third and it became 14-6 from 6-4, so you could see he was getting nervous. I’m thankful for my training in Denmark – I’ve been there for 12 years now and they’ve really helped me train at a very high level,” Evans said.

Click here for results

Olympic and Paralympic News

Zhang & Wang: Stars With Different Legacies

Zhang & Wang: Stars With Different Legacies

4 June 2023
Sung Energised by Recent Successes

Sung Energised by Recent Successes

1 March 2017
Line Kjaersfeldt Targets GPG Success

Line Kjaersfeldt Targets GPG Success

20 February 2017
Saina Nehwal: ‘I Feel Lighter On Court’

Saina Nehwal: ‘I Feel Lighter On Court’

20 January 2017
Zwiebler Hungry Despite Setbacks

Zwiebler Hungry Despite Setbacks

18 January 2017
Danish Duo Relish Rio Memories

Danish Duo Relish Rio Memories

17 January 2017
Men’s Doubles – 2016 in Review

Men’s Doubles – 2016 in Review

27 December 2016
Badminton Leads China Ratings

Badminton Leads China Ratings

1 September 2016
Badminton on Olympic Channel

Badminton on Olympic Channel

30 August 2016
European Resurgence in Rio

European Resurgence in Rio

26 August 2016
Bouncing Back in Style

Bouncing Back in Style

25 August 2016
A Revolution in Rio

A Revolution in Rio

21 August 2016
Lee’s ‘Long’ Suffering Continues – Men’s Singles Final: Rio 2016

Lee’s ‘Long’ Suffering Continues – Men’s Singles Final: Rio 2016

20 August 2016
Serves – Malaysia, Wrong! – Men’s Doubles Final: Rio 2016

Serves – Malaysia, Wrong! – Men’s Doubles Final: Rio 2016

19 August 2016
Latina Carolina Reigns! – Women’s Singles Final: Rio 2016

Latina Carolina Reigns! – Women’s Singles Final: Rio 2016

19 August 2016
Lin Dan Dethroned – Men’s Singles Semi-finals: Rio 2016

Lin Dan Dethroned – Men’s Singles Semi-finals: Rio 2016

19 August 2016
Golden First for Japan – Day 8 – Women’s Doubles Final: Rio 2016

Golden First for Japan – Day 8 – Women’s Doubles Final: Rio...

18 August 2016
Marin-Sindhu Battle for History – Women’s Singles Semi-finals: Rio 2016

Marin-Sindhu Battle for History – Women’s Singles Semi-finals: Rio 2016

18 August 2016
Golden Day for Indonesia – Mixed Doubles Final: Rio 2016

Golden Day for Indonesia – Mixed Doubles Final: Rio 2016

17 August 2016
Lin Survives; Lee Cruises  – Day 7 – Men’s Singles Quarter-Finals: Rio 2016

Lin Survives; Lee Cruises – Day 7 – Men’s Singles Quarter-Finals: Rio...

17 August 2016
Sindhu Sizzles into Semis – Day 6 Session 2: Rio 2016

Sindhu Sizzles into Semis – Day 6 Session 2: Rio 2016

17 August 2016
History-Making Danes Thwart China – Day 6 Session 1: Rio 2016

History-Making Danes Thwart China – Day 6 Session 1: Rio 2016

16 August 2016
China’s Doubles Giants Humbled – Day 5 Session 2: Rio 2016

China’s Doubles Giants Humbled – Day 5 Session 2: Rio 2016

15 August 2016
Fu/Zhang Ride Out Storm – Day 5 Session 1: Rio 2016

Fu/Zhang Ride Out Storm – Day 5 Session 1: Rio 2016

15 August 2016
Jorgensen Chugs On – Day 4 Session 2: Rio 2016

Jorgensen Chugs On – Day 4 Session 2: Rio 2016

15 August 2016
Quarter-Finals Drawing Attention – Rio 2016

Quarter-Finals Drawing Attention – Rio 2016

15 August 2016
Chan/Goh in Semi-finals – Day 4 Session 3: Rio 2016

Chan/Goh in Semi-finals – Day 4 Session 3: Rio 2016

14 August 2016
Nehwal Falls to Ulitina – Day 4 Session 1: Rio 2016

Nehwal Falls to Ulitina – Day 4 Session 1: Rio 2016

14 August 2016
Brazil Badminton Grabs Spotlight

Brazil Badminton Grabs Spotlight

14 August 2016
Evans Shakes Off Oliveira – Day 3 Session 3: Rio 2016

Evans Shakes Off Oliveira – Day 3 Session 3: Rio 2016

13 August 2016
Ellis/Langridge Through – Day 3 Session 2: Rio 2016

Ellis/Langridge Through – Day 3 Session 2: Rio 2016

13 August 2016
World Champs Out – Day 3 Session 1: Rio 2016

World Champs Out – Day 3 Session 1: Rio 2016

13 August 2016
Koreans Double Their Account – Day 2 Session 3: Rio 2016

Koreans Double Their Account – Day 2 Session 3: Rio 2016

12 August 2016
Ivanov/Sozonov in Quarters – Day 2 Session 2: Rio 2016

Ivanov/Sozonov in Quarters – Day 2 Session 2: Rio 2016

12 August 2016
Cordon Falls to Dziolko – Day 1 Session 3: Rio 2016

Cordon Falls to Dziolko – Day 1 Session 3: Rio 2016

12 August 2016
Xu/Ma Stage Escape – Day 1 Session 2: Rio 2016

Xu/Ma Stage Escape – Day 1 Session 2: Rio 2016

12 August 2016
Endo/Hayakawa Clinch Thriller: Day 1 Session 1 – Rio 2016

Endo/Hayakawa Clinch Thriller: Day 1 Session 1 – Rio 2016

12 August 2016
Double Duty in Rio!

Double Duty in Rio!

11 August 2016
Top Guns Ready to Fire

Top Guns Ready to Fire

11 August 2016
Under No Illusions

Under No Illusions

10 August 2016
Danes Hope to Capitalise on Strong Season

Danes Hope to Capitalise on Strong Season

10 August 2016
A New Carolina, Says Rivas

A New Carolina, Says Rivas

9 August 2016
Fifth Olympic Salvo for Mateusiak

Fifth Olympic Salvo for Mateusiak

8 August 2016
Savouring the Olympic Flavour

Savouring the Olympic Flavour

6 August 2016
Singles Preview: The Promise of Epic Battles

Singles Preview: The Promise of Epic Battles

6 August 2016
A First for Flag-Bearer Lee

A First for Flag-Bearer Lee

4 August 2016
Zhang/Zhao the Opening Act

Zhang/Zhao the Opening Act

3 August 2016
Doubles Preview: Group Surprises Lurk for the Unwary

Doubles Preview: Group Surprises Lurk for the Unwary

1 August 2016
Rio Countdown: Aussies Living a Dream

Rio Countdown: Aussies Living a Dream

29 July 2016
‘One Match at a Time’

‘One Match at a Time’

28 July 2016
Olympic Channel Launch on August 21

Olympic Channel Launch on August 21

28 July 2016
Rio Countdown: Ygor Oliveira’s Samba Secret

Rio Countdown: Ygor Oliveira’s Samba Secret

28 July 2016
Rio Countdown: Dutch Duo Seek to Re-create Magic

Rio Countdown: Dutch Duo Seek to Re-create Magic

27 July 2016
Contenders Brace for Hard Battles

Contenders Brace for Hard Battles

27 July 2016
Possible Lee-Lin ‘Semis’ Showdown

Possible Lee-Lin ‘Semis’ Showdown

27 July 2016
Rio Countdown: Australian Duo Look to Make Impact

Rio Countdown: Australian Duo Look to Make Impact

26 July 2016
Rio Countdown: Chou Riding High on Confidence

Rio Countdown: Chou Riding High on Confidence

25 July 2016
Mechanics of the Olympic Draw

Mechanics of the Olympic Draw

22 July 2016
Lee, Marin Lead Seedings

Lee, Marin Lead Seedings

21 July 2016
No Rio Repeat for Olympic Champs

No Rio Repeat for Olympic Champs

19 July 2016
BWF Launches Olympic Website

BWF Launches Olympic Website

11 July 2016
Mexico Completes Olympic List

Mexico Completes Olympic List

5 July 2016
Australia Make Rio Picks

Australia Make Rio Picks

10 June 2016
Badminton to Feature in Olympic Channel Programming

Badminton to Feature in Olympic Channel Programming

7 June 2016
Trio Get Rio 2016 Tripartite Places

Trio Get Rio 2016 Tripartite Places

25 May 2016
Provisional List of Olympic Qualifiers Published

Provisional List of Olympic Qualifiers Published

5 May 2016
Continental Championships: The Home Stretch to Rio Begins

Continental Championships: The Home Stretch to Rio Begins

24 April 2016
Calmer, Tougher Intanon Believes She Can Get Better

Calmer, Tougher Intanon Believes She Can Get Better

19 April 2016
Ygor Oliveira’s Samba Secret

Ygor Oliveira’s Samba Secret

8 April 2016
Liang Xiaoyu Sniffs Olympics Chance

Liang Xiaoyu Sniffs Olympics Chance

15 March 2016
Intanon Ready for Battles Ahead

Intanon Ready for Battles Ahead

2 March 2016
Race to Rio: Close Call for Doubles Contenders

Race to Rio: Close Call for Doubles Contenders

18 January 2016
Race to Rio: Chen Leads, Lee Close Behind

Race to Rio: Chen Leads, Lee Close Behind

14 January 2016
Special Olympics Embrace BWF Shuttle Time

Special Olympics Embrace BWF Shuttle Time

26 October 2015
Høyer: Innovation and Integrity Key Ingredients

Høyer: Innovation and Integrity Key Ingredients

16 May 2015
Rio 2016: The Race Begins

Rio 2016: The Race Begins

4 May 2015
Singles Maximum Reduced for Rio 2016

Singles Maximum Reduced for Rio 2016

11 February 2014