Badminton: Kieran Merrilees and Martin Campbell will put friendship aside

Published on Thursday 19 November 2009 23:02

KIERAN Merrilees and Martin Campbell are best of mates, but their friendship will be cast aside today when they line up in a second round clash in the men's singles at the Bank of Scotland International Championships at Glasgow's Kelvin Hall.

"Martin and I went on holiday together in Greece this year so it's going to be a bit strange," said Glasgow's Merrilees, the No9 seed, who opened with a 21-11, 21-16 win over England's Sam Phillips. "But you just have to forget whose on the other side of the net and get on with business."

For Campbell, a year younger at 19, a 21-14, 22-20 triumph over the Swiss-based Takahiro Hiramatsu set up this chance.

"I definitely think I have a chance against Kieran. I've got nothing to lose and all the pressure is on him," he said

Craig Goddard, Calum Menzies and Scottish champion Gordon Thomson were the other Scots to make the last 32 in the men's singles, while Kirsty Gilmour reached the second round of the women's singles.