Magee romps to opening win

22:30, 29 Jul 2012

Ireland's Chloe Magee opened her London 2012 campaign with a convincing victory over Hadia Hosny of Egypt.

The world number 44, of Raphoe in County Donegal, proved too strong for a player ranked 69 places below her, winning 21-17, 21-6 in 28 minutes at Wembley Arena.

The pair traded points throughout the first game before the nimble Magee pulled away to take control.

The second then proved a procession, lasting a mere 10 minutes, as Magee eased to a confidence-boosting win ahead of her second game in Group I against former world number four Pi Hongyan on Tuesday.

Magee had been kept waiting late into the session on day two of competition to make her entrance and felt it took her a while to get into her stride.

The arena was also very warm as organisers continue to restrict their use of the air conditioning to prevent it affecting the flight of shuttlecocks.

That meant the conditions were different from when Magee trained in the hall earlier in the week.

Magee said: "It feels good, I am happy with the win. I didn't really feel that comfortable but I will take the win.

"I didn't feel I was playing my best and I struggled a bit with the conditions but it has really helped me playing out there for my next game.

"In the second game I felt I was using my shots and things were going a lot better.

"There were just a little bit of nerves at the start. I'd been edgy all day thinking about playing tonight.

"I knew once I started to play badminton properly I would win it pretty easily."

Magee will now start preparations for her testing clash against 2008 quarter-finalist Pi, which she will almost certainly need to win to reach the last 16.

Magee said: "It is a really tough one next. I have never beaten Pi before and I have to win it to get out of my group, but it is a game I can definitely win.

"I am feeling in good shape and I am going to give it a really good shot."