IT took medallists from the Olympic Games in Rio to halt the progress of Greg Mairs, from Northwich, and Jenny Moore in the US Open.
The duo, making their debut in the competition at Fullerton in California, pushed Malaysian combination Peng Soon Chan and Liu Ying Go all the way before bowing out 14-21 21-16 14-21 at the quarter-finals stage.
Positives in defeat for @jennymoore95 @gregmairs today as they push the Malaysian Rio 2016 Olympic silver medallists to 3 in LA.
— Badminton England (@BadmintonEnglnd) June 16, 2018
Mairs and Moore turn their attention next to the Canada Open.
They travel to Calgary with confidence boosted by a stunning win against Dutch pair Jacco Arends and Selena Piek, the third seeds, in the first round at the US Open.
Their run continued with a straight sets success against locals Kwong Beng Chan and Jenna Gozali before they ran into a combination that took silver in Brazil two years ago.
Mairs, a former student at Sir John Deane’s College and Weaverham High School, and Moore were one of a half-dozen European mixed pairs to reach the last eight.
They are enjoying a rich vein of form on the international stage that continued last month with a mixed doubles title at the Slovenia International in Medvode.
The 🏆🏆 just keep on coming for English badminton.
— Badminton England (@BadmintonEnglnd) May 13, 2018
Congratulations @jennymoore95 & @gregmairs who win the XD title at the Slovenia International 2018 whilst @TobyPenty beats Pablo Abian to win the MS crown#mybadmintonworld🌍 pic.twitter.com/vS9USHnaVP
That followed overall victories in the latter stages of 2017 in both the Norwegian International and the Irish Open.
Results
Yonex US Open
Fullerton Titan Gym, California
Mixed doubles
First Round
Greg Mairs & Jenny Moore ENG bt Jacco Arends & Selena Piek NED (3) 21-19 21-17
Last 16
Greg Mairs & Jenny Moore ENG bt Kwong Beng Chan & Jenna Gozali USA 21-17 21-19
Quarter-finals
Greg Mairs & Jenny Moore ENG lost to Peng Soon Chan & Liu Ying Go MAL (5) 14-21 21-16 14-21
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