British mixed doubles teams set to face each other after first round leap in Swiss Open
The British mixed doubles teams Chris Adcock-Imogen Bankier and Nathan Robertson-Jenny Wallwork cleared first round of main draws in the Swiss Open Grand Prix Gold on March 14, 2012.
Both pairs are now scheduled to face each other in the second round of the event and the encounter between these two couples is surely going to be a clash of the titans.
The mixed doubles experts Adcock-Bankier beat the French couple Baptiste Careme-Audrey Fontaine while the other duo Robertson-Wallwork surpassed the Bulgarian partners Stilian Makarski-Diana Dimova to set up a dream tussle between the compatriots.
The World Number 17 duo Adcock-Bankier set the foundation by sealing a straight set victory over their opponents. It took them just 29 minutes to sweep the board and their rivals Baptiste Careme-Audrey Fontaine had to bow down when score board flashed the
final figures of 21-16 and 21-13 in the end.
The mixed doubles partners looked in prime touch and they utilised the confidence they earned recently after beating the World Number one Chinese duo Zhang Nan-Zhao Yunlei in All England Open.
Later, the World Number 19 mixed doubles team Robertson-Wallwork stamped their challengers Stilian Makarski-Diana Dimova and eased into the pre quarter-finals of the event.
The Bulgarian defence could not last long and collapsed after just 26 minutes. They got dumped after their rivals registered a final 21-15 and 21-18 score on the board.
Now both English teams have been subjected to a tough trial as the compatriots are scheduled to meet in the second round of the event.
They are in Olympic qualification period and only one couple having the higher world rankings, before the period comes to an end in May will have the honour to represent the country during the 2012 London Olympics.
World Championships silver medallist couple Adcock-Bankier is standing just one step ahead of their compatriots in world rankings and this has made their next meeting very crucial as both teams will be in quest of valuable ranking points.
The mixed doubles partners Adcock-Bankier has the slight edge over their rivals as they are in top form after beating world class couples in recent European tourneys but their rivals Robertson-Wallwork will surely put all they have to unseat them.
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