New Zealand mixed doubles specialists Renee Flavell and Craig Cooper fought hard in their match against a highly ranked Korean combination but were outclassed 21-12 21-11 in their Olympic badminton match here tonight.
The New Zealanders battled mightily against their world No 10 opponents, matching them point for point well into the opening set before the Koreans' experience and speed around the court proved too much.
The 32nd-ranked New Zealanders were put under increasing pressure as the Koreans forced them into a series of errors at the net, and left them very little time or room to play their shots.
