The Yonex Hungarian Open kicks off today at the Budaörs Sportshall. The Thursday matches include only matches of the qualification stage. The 5.000 US Dollars event is the last international tournament where the experimental scoring system 5x11 is being used.

Even the weather has been turned into a nice one when the Badminton Europe circuit express stops at the 39th Yonex Hungarian Open in Budapest. 220 players from 34 nations - that's the figure the local fans and organizers like a lot. European and Far-Eastern strong holders are represented in the event like Denmark, England, Malaysia, Thailand, Sweden, Netherlands or France.

Although there were some withdrawals from the tournament still there are some shuttlers in the waiting list in men's & women's singles event.

Beside top seeded French Lucas Corvee or the second seed Karunaratne of Sri Lanka there are plenty of favourites like Daniel Font from Wales, Dutch Mark Caljouw, Finnish Kalle Koljonen and defending champion Spanish Ernesto Velazquez or Thai Karnphop, who plays in the local Multi Alarm club.

In the women's singles, top seed and title holder Russian Olga Golovanova will face a lot of challenges. Danish shuttler Sandra-Maria Jensen (pictured), Ukranian Maria Ulitina or Fontaine Mica Chapman of England also have good chance to grab the title. The biggest local hope can be also found in the women’s singles - Laura Sarosi.

In the men's doubles, top seeds Croatian Durkinjak /Hoelbling will have strong English, Danish, French or Turkish opponents meanwhile the Russian Khlebko/Komendrovskaja duo in women's doubles must do their utmost against a lot of eager youngsters in order to reach the final.

In mixed doubles the hot favourites is the first seeded Czech pair, Bitman/Basova - their strongest challengers should be Danish Ludvigsen/Surrow or Belgian Marcoen/Vandenhoucke.

There will be live streaming on Saturday and Sunday - so stay tuned!

Click here for all results of the Yonex Hungarian Open.

Article by József Csorba. Photo by BadmintonPhoto.