The Netherlands won 4-1 in the opening tie of Group 3, which is taking place in Linz, Austria.

The Dutch team got off to the perfect start winning the mixed doubles in straight games. It was a walk in the park for Debora Jille and Ties van der Lecq, who beat Andrej Antoska and Natalia Tomcova 21-11 21-10.

- We had the upper hand in the first three shots and that made the difference. In the rallies we did not have too many problems, van der Lecq said.

The “match of the tie” was the men’s singles, and the match-up between Joran Kweekel and Milan Dratva was another reason why badminton fans have been missing the sport and the entertainment during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Drama
Kweekel had a solid lead at the interval, but with a six-point streak Dratva turned it all around and won the opening game 21-14.

In the second game, Kweekel was in control winning 21-11, but in the decider Dratva again got control. The Slovakian world number 143 led 12-6, before the match twisted one more time. From 12-6 to 16-13, and it was over for Dratva. Kweekel made it 2-0 for the Netherlands winning the third game 21-17.

- I am proud to be chosen for the match today. It means a lot and I try to show that I can also play some badminton. I am happy to get the win, but I need to be better in these kinds of matches, Joran Kweekel said.

Long serve made a difference
On paper, the Slovakian world number 88, Martina Repiska, was the favourite against the Dutch youngster, Nadia Choukri, and everything went according to the Slovakian plan in the opening game, 21-10, but what looked like the first Slovakian point changed when the players switched sides. 

Choukri won the second game 21-16 and led 11-5 at the interval in the decider, before Repiska got things back on track winning 21-17. 

- The beginning of the third game was not good for me. I was just following her pace and I was a little nervous to be honest. Then I started to serve long and give her the opportunity to attack, and I just played it back with normal speed, and then she made the mistakes, Repiska said.

Double up for van de Lecq
Ties van der Lecq secured the first point for the Netherlands, and on the opening day of the qualification he also secured the winning point. 

Together with Mark Caljouw, he won in straight games securing the win for the Netherlands. The Dutch team also won the women’s doubles securing the 4-1 win. 

Later tonight the hosts of qualification group 3, Austria, will face Czech Republic.