Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.England's hopes of pulling off an upset disappeared against China on the opening day of the World Championships in Lausanne yesterday when they went down 4-1 after having taken an early lead, writes James Leigh.
This was supplied by last year's All England mixed double champions, Nick Ponting and Joanne Wright, who beat Liu Jianjun and Wang Xiaoyuan 15-6, 15-8, but there followed straight games defeats in both singles contests and in the men's doubles, which almost certainly consigns England to a relegation struggle in the top group of the Sudirman Cup team event.
Their biggest upset was the 15-12, 17-14 loss for the European men's double champions, Chris Hunt and Simon Archer, against Jiang Xin and Huang Zhangzhong, a pair six places lower in the world at No 12.
Earlier national champion Julia Mann was beaten in her first world championship 11-6, 11-5 by the world No 6, Ye Zhaoying, and the former European champion, Darren Hall, lost 15-9, 15-10 to the former world junior champion, Sun Jun.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments