“If we had won the first set, it would have been a completely different game in the second set. But as it was, we were under a lot of pressure in the second set and it was difficult to get back into the game.”
Malik Bourakkadi’s quote perfectly sums up the first-round match between Malik and his mixed doubles partner Leona Michalski against Chen Cheng Kuan/Hsu Yin-Hui (TPE). After leading back and forth, the two Germans were ahead 18-17, only to lose the first set 19-21. With great support from the many spectators in the Westenergie Sports Hall, Malik and Leona fought their way back to a 14:10 lead in the second set, only to fall behind again at 14:18 and finally lose 19:21, 15:21 overall.
The mixed doubles was Wednesday’s “Match of the Day,” presented by KGM.
