Rio 2016: National doubles set the pace

The national badminton doubles open their group campaign with straight set victories in the opening day of the sport at the Rio Olympic Games at Pavilion 4, Riocentro, here Thursday.

National men's top pair Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong opened the Group B match with a hard fought win over German's Michael Fuchs and Johannes Schoettler 21-14, 21-17 in the 44 minutes encounter.

"It's a real test from the Germans and know the challenge is just beginning for us. We have to look forward for our next counter and would not loose our guard," said V Shem.

The world number 12 pair will take on United States pair Philip Chew and Sattawat Pongnairat, Friday before wrapping up their group matches against world fourth ranked Chinese pair Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan, the next day.

Women's doubles Vivian Kah Mun/Woon Khe Wei also went through the opening Group C match with a hard fought win 21-17, 24-22 against Great Britain's Heather Olver/Lauren Smith.

The pair will take on their second match against Hong Kong's Poon Lok Yan and Tse Ying Suet tomorrow.

Meanwhile, mixed doubles Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying also tested the ground with 21-13, 21-19 against Thailand's combination of Bodin Isara/Savitree Amitrapai in the 40 minutes encounter.

The national mixed doubles pair takes on Australian, Robon Middleton/Leanne Choo in the Group C ties tomorrow.