Fairytale Finish: Mairs Claim Upset Victory at All England in Farewell Tournament
BIRMINGHAM, England (March 12, 2025) – In a storybook ending to their international badminton careers, married couple Greg and Jenny Mairs stunned the crowd at the YONEX All England Open, defeating eighth-seeded hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saido of Japan in a thrilling first-round mixed doubles match. The unseeded English pair, competing in their final tournament, overcame years of heartbreak at the prestigious event to secure a momentous victory.
Overcoming Adversity: Mairs Secure Landmark Win
The Mairs, who had previously struggled to make an impact in Birmingham, displayed unwavering resolve as they battled back from losing the second game to ultimately triumph 21-17, 13-21, 21-13. The victory was made even more special as it was achieved on home soil in front of family and friends.
Emotional Victory: “This Tops anything Else”
“This tops anything else in our careers,” an emotional Jenny Mairs said following the match. She expressed gratitude for the vocal support of the home crowd, who provided a crucial boost after the second game loss. Greg mairs echoed his wife’s sentiments, reflecting on past near-misses at the All England Open and emphasizing the meaning of finally breaking through.
Crowd Support Fuels Comeback
After a shaky start, the Mairs found their rhythm in the first game, clinching it with three consecutive points. While Midorikawa and Saito responded strongly in the second, the Mairs, buoyed by the keen home crowd at the Utilita Arena, seized an early lead in the decisive third game and never looked back.
Looking Ahead: Round of 16 Matchup
Next, the Mairs are set to face ruttanapak Oupthong and Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat of Thailand. While the thai pair are currently ranked higher at world number 18, the Mairs have history on their side, having defeated them in their only previous encounter at the Bahrain International in 2022.
Celebrating the Moment
The couple initially planned to celebrate their careers with family at a pizza restaurant, but Greg joked they might have to switch to pasta instead, given their continued presence in the tournament. Despite the adrenaline, their focus remained on preparing for the next challenge.
How did the crowd support impact the Mairs’ victory?
Fairytale Finish: Mairs Claim Upset Victory at All England in Farewell Tournament
BIRMINGHAM, England (march 12, 2025) – In a storybook ending to their international badminton careers, married couple Greg and Jenny Mairs stunned the crowd at the YONEX All england Open, defeating eighth-seeded hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saido of Japan in a thrilling first-round mixed doubles match. The unseeded English pair,competing in their final tournament,overcame years of heartbreak at the prestigious event to secure a momentous victory.
Overcoming Adversity: Mairs Secure Landmark Win
The Mairs, who had previously struggled to make an impact in Birmingham, displayed unwavering resolve as they battled back from losing the second game to ultimately triumph 21-17, 13-21, 21-13.The victory was made even more special as it was achieved on home soil in front of family and friends.
Emotional Victory: “This Tops anything Else”
“This tops anything else in our careers,” an emotional Jenny Mairs said following the match. She expressed gratitude for the vocal support of the home crowd, who provided a crucial boost after the second game loss. Greg mairs echoed his wife’s sentiments, reflecting on past near-misses at the All England Open and emphasizing the meaning of finally breaking through.
Crowd Support Fuels Comeback
After a shaky start, the Mairs found their rhythm in the first game, clinching it with three consecutive points. While Midorikawa and Saito responded strongly in the second, the Mairs, buoyed by the keen home crowd at the Utilita Arena, seized an early lead in the decisive third game and never looked back.
Looking Ahead: Round of 16 Matchup
Next, the Mairs are set to face ruttanapak Oupthong and Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat of Thailand. While the thai pair are currently ranked higher at world number 18, the Mairs have history on their side, having defeated them in their only previous encounter at the Bahrain International in 2022.
Celebrating the Moment
The couple initially planned to celebrate their careers with family at a pizza restaurant, but Greg joked they might have to switch to pasta rather, given their continued presence in the tournament. Despite the adrenaline, their focus remained on preparing for the next challenge.
Mairs’ All England Open Victory: Q&A
Q: Who are greg and Jenny Mairs?
A: They are a married couple from England who are retiring from international badminton.Greg and Jenny specialized in mixed doubles and this was their final tournament.
Q: What is the All England Open?
A: The All England Open Badminton Championships is one of the oldest and most prestigious badminton tournaments in the world, held annually in Birmingham, England.It’s considered a major event in the badminton world.
Q: Why was this victory so significant for the Mairs?
A: It was their final tournament, and they had never made a significant impact at this event before.This win was a perfect send-off, especially as they played in front of a supportive home crowd.
Q: Who did the Mairs defeat?
A: They beat the eighth-seeded pair, hiroki Midorikawa and Natsu Saido of Japan in the first round.
Q: What is their next match like?
A: They will face the Thai pair of ruttanapak Oupthong and Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat in the Round of 16. Although ranked higher, the Mairs have a prior win over them.
Q: How can I watch badminton?
A: Badminton matches are frequently enough broadcast on sports channels or streamed online. Check your local listings or sports streaming services for coverage of major tournaments like the All England Open and the BWF World Tour.
Cheer on the Mairs as they continue their fairytale run!
