Ouseph makes winning start at Olympics

Feltham’s Rajiv Ouseph got his Olympic Games campaign under way with a comfortable victory over Petr Koukal on Thursday.

Ouseph, the tournament’s 13th seed, beat world number 81 Koukal 21-14, 21-18 in the first of two group-stage matches.

The west Londoner had only lost once before to the Czech player in six previous meetings and that never really looked like changing.

He closed out the opening game well and hit the best shot of the match, a powerful cross-court winner, at 8-3 up in the second game.

Having seen three match points disappear, Ouseph finally won it when Koukal netted. He plays Sho Sasaki of Japan on Sunday.