Adcocks keep European title dream alive after scare

Mixed doubles top seeds Chris and Gabby Adcock were given a mighty scare in the last 16 of the European Championships.

The Superseries champions, aiming for a first European individual title, were taken the distance by Nico Ruponen and Amanda Hogstrom of Sweden before coming through 21-13, 17-21, 21-18.

They were ahead 8-4 in the decider but the Swedes levelled at 18-18 before the English pair's class told.

Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge found proceedings to their advantage as the third seeds secured their last eight place thanks to a 21-14, 21-10 victory in 41 minutes over Zvonimir Durkinjak and Zvonimir Hoelbling.

Rajiv Ouseph, England's number one and fifth seed, secured his quarter-final place with a 42-minute victory over Frenchman Lucas Corvee.Ouseph won 23-21, 21-15 to set up an enticing clash with Denmark's Hans-Kristian Vittinghus on Friday.
Fontaine Chapman exited the women's singles, but not before testing Germany's fourth seed Karin Schnaase to the hilt. The German prevailed 21-18, 19-21, 21-12 over 51 minutes.

Meanwhile unseeded Heather Olver and Lauren Smith put up a brilliant fight against third-seeded Bulgarians Gabriel and Stefani Stoeva, but they were just edged out 22-20, 15-21, 21-18.

In an Anglo-Scottish battle, Matthew Nottingham and Harley Towler lost out to Rob Blair and Adam Hall 21-14, 21-18.

The Scots next meet Ellis and Langridge in Friday's quarter-finals.

Denmark's number eight seeds Niclas Nohr and Sara Thygesen were 21-11, 21-8 winners over Gregory Mairs and Jenny Moore.

And Jess Pugh and Sarah Walker's bid ended to Johanna Goliszewski and Carla Nelte, Germany's fourth seeds.