Last year’s bronze medallist Sabrina Jaquet has secured her place in the second round of the European Badminton Championships women’s singles event ©Badminton Europe/Mark Phelan

Last year’s bronze medallist Sabrina Jaquet secured her place in the second round of the European Badminton Championships women’s singles event after beating Russia’s Natalia Perminova at the Carolina Marín Sports Pavilion in Huelva today.

The 30-year-old Swiss triumphed 21-17, 13-21, 21-17 to set up a clash with The Netherlands’ Soraya De Visch Eijbergen, who received a first-round bye.

After nine months out of action with an injury, Jaquet admitted she does not feel 100 per cent fit.

"I know that right now I don’t really have the balance on court and in the last few matches with the lack of competition, I was not feeling really well," she said.

Among those to advance from the opening round of the men’s singles draw was Czech Republic’s Adam Mendrek.

He beat Portugal’s Duarte Nuno Anjo and is now due to go onto face top seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in round two.

China's Chen Long, who is looking to defend his title at the Badminton Asia Championships, has received confirmation of his first-round opponent following qualifying matches today ©Getty Images
China's Chen Long, who is looking to defend his title at the Badminton Asia Championships, has received confirmation of his first-round opponent following qualifying matches today ©Getty Images

Also beginning today was the Badminton Asia Championships at the Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium in China.

In the men’s singles event, Jordan’s Bahaedeen Ahmad Alshannik won his two Group B qualifying matches to set up a first-round encounter with defending champion and home favourite Chen Long. 

Alshannik firstly beat Brunei’s Jaspar Yu Woon Chai 21-18, 21-15.

He then went onto defeat Mongolia’s Batdavaa Munkhbat 21-17, 21-10.

South Korea’s Jui Jeon is due to meet women’s singles top seed Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei in the first round after overcoming Sri Lanka’s Thilini Pramodika Hendahewa in Group A of qualification.

Action at both events is scheduled to continue tomorrow.