All England 2002

First Round: Gopichand won

PRESS RELEASE: Badminton Association of England

Wednesday 6 March

Defending Champion Pullela Gopichand of India was pleased to have won his opening round at the Yonex All England Open Championships at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, the morning after a spell out with injury. He beat England's Mark Burgess 7-3, 7-0, 7-4 in 30 minutes.

"It's been a painful injury but I'm glad to be playing again. I'd like my mobility to be better. It was a little stiff but that will improve with games. I am very happy to be back and enjoy playing here", he said of his victory. Gopichand now faces Mohammed Hafiz Hashim of Malaysia later today in the second round.

Burgess, meanwhile, probably rued the fact he didn't take his chances. "It was a tough draw to play the defending champion straight away but after his injury it was a good time to play. I made a lot of unforced errors. I overplayed my shots because if I didn't make the shots I knew I would be punished".

Written by
Dille Andersen.
UK Editor, DilleSport

Leif Andersen.
DK Editor, DilleSport
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