Top seeded pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying were stretched to the limit against Thai duo Nipitphon Phuangpuapet-Benyapa Aimsaard but managed to get over the line with a 21-15, 15-21, 21-19 victory at the Swiss Open late Tuesday.
The world number seven pair needed all their experience against the scratch pair, and battled to a 53-minute win on day one.
Hopes were high for Chan-Goh to come good in this tournament, on the back of their poor outing at January’s Bangkok Tour.
With the Swiss Open offering Olympic ranking points, the 2016 silver medalist could do their chances a world of good with a top-two finish.
Chan-Goh next face French pair Ronan Labar-Anne Tran, who beat young Malaysian pair Hoo Pang Ron-Cheah Yee See 21-19, 21-17 in the first round.
Fourth seeds Goh Soon-Shevon Lai also progressed after they overcame French duo Eloi Adam-Margot Lambert 21-18, 21-14.
They next face Denmark’s Rasmus Espersen-Christine Busch in the second round.
Tan Kian Ming-Lai Pei Jing were also through after beating Indonesians Adnan Maulana-Mychelle Crhystine Bandaso 21-13, 21-12 and set up a meeting with Germany’s Jones Ralfy-Kilasu Ostermeyer.
It was the end of the road for young pair Chen Tang Jie-Peck Yen Wei, who lost 12-21, 17-21 to sixth seeds Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue.
The rest of the national contingent are in action on Wednesday, with the pick of the action involving Lee Zii Jia against Russia’s Sergey Sirant, while Liew Daren is up against Thailand’s Kantaphon Wangcharoen in the men’s singles and Soniia Cheah plays Yvonne Li of Germany in the women’s singles.
The action starts around 5pm local time.
