Yesterday saw one of the largest entries in the Yonex Estonian International Championships for many years compete in the main draw for the opportunity of progressing to the quarter final stages which will be held today, Saturday in picturesque Tallinn which is at the moment covered in a light flurry of snow.

A lot of local expectation rested on the ever popular Raul Must who is competing in the Men’s Singles event but he will not be alone in having huge local support as the Men’s Doubles partnership of Rainer Kaljumae and Raul Kasner have also succeeded in making it through to the quarter finals.

A large local audience were thrilled when the pair overcame their Swedish opponents Forsberg and Hjelm in a tense and close match which at one stage was tied at 16 all in the final set before Kaljumae and Kasner pulled away to win 21/17.

In the men’s singles event, the top 4 seeds all progressed to the quarter finals but not without some difficulty for both the No 2 seed Scott Evans and the No 3 seed Misha Zilberman who each had to overcome stiff French competition. Zilberman had a tough 3 setter against Lucas Claerbout  while Evans had to draw on all his reserves to beat Sylvain Ternon.

In the Women’s singles again all 4 seeds have made it to the quarter finals but the No 1 seed Elizabeth Cann from England found herself in a real match against the Chinese player Liu Fang Hua who came through qualification to narrowly lose 21/19 in the third set against Cann.

In the Men’s doubles the French pair of Antoine Lodiot and Julien Maio who were promoted from qualifying when the No 1 seeds withdrew have made it to the quarter finals and will be joined by the 6 other seeded pairs and the local favourites Kaljumae and Kasner.

In the women’s doubles Samantha Barning and Ilse Vaessen overcame the No 2 seeds from Germany Goliszewski and Nelte in a tense and thrilling match and will meet the Belgian pair Steffi Annys and Severine Corvilain in the quarters. In the other half of the draw the Swedish/Chinese partnership Cecilia Bjuner and Liu Fang Hua had an equally tight match when they overcame the No 3 seeds from Sweden Louise Eriksson and Amanda Wallin to book their place in the quarter finals.

In the mixed doubles Cecilia Bjuner again playing with a Chinese partner Zhu Yixin was just as successful when they defeated the English pair Edward Thomas and Sofie Sankey 19/21, 21/19, 22/20 to progress to the quarter finals.

Click here for the latest results of the Yonex Estonian International

Article and photos by Badminton Estonia