National Badminton League stars to compete in Yonex Belgian International

A host of National Badminton League talent is competing at the Yonex Belgian International this week.

England's players have been dealt some tough opening draws in Leuven, starting in the women's singles where Fontaine Chapman, who will star for Birmingham Lions in next month's inaugural National Badminton League, plays qualifier Anika Dörr in Thursday's first round.

A win over her German opponent will set up another meeting with Commonwealth champion Michelle Li, Canada's top seed, after losing to her 28-26 21-17 in the recent World Championships in Denmark.

Panuga Riou, who will line-up alongside Chris Adcock as part of University of Nottingham's strong team in the NBL,will also compete in the women's singles. She faces a stiff test against Malaysia's Sannatasah Saniru, the number eight seed.

In the mixed doubles, Harley Towler (Loughborough Sport) and Emily Westwood (Surrey Smashers) will play French pair Baptiste Careme and Anne Tran.

If the pair beat their French opponents, they will set up a meeting with Dutch duo Jacco Arends and Selena Piek, the top seeds.

It doesn't get any easier in the bottom half of the draw, where Matthew Nottingham (Surrey Smashers) and Alyssa Lim (Birmingham Lions) face Ronan Labar and Emilie Lefel, of France.

As with their team-mates, if the English pair progress to the second round they face a tough task against Jorrit De Ruiter and Samantha Barning, the Dutch number two seeds. Both top seeds were awarded a bye into the second round.

In the men's doubles, Marcus Ellis (Loughborough Sport) and Nottingham face Kasper Antonsen and Oliver Babic. Denmark's top seeds Anders Skaarup Rasmussen and Astrup Sorensen await the winner.

Meanwhile, Chris Coles (Team Derby) and Tom Wolfenden (a team-mate of Nottingham's at Surrey Smashers) face Mathias Christiansen and David Daugard, of Denmark.