Yesterday's brilliant sunshine was more than matched by some sparkling play on the first day of the Championships.

At the end of the first qualifying session Great Britain's flag was flying highest thanks to the efforts of a pair of former World Champions, double Venice Cup winner Nicola Smith and Junior Champion Justin Hackett. They recorded 67.05%, the best of the day.

They could not repeat their performance in the evening session and pole position is held by Italy's Gabriella Manara and Dario Attanasio, who followed up their first round score of 60.85% with an excellent 65.60%. They are followed by two powerful pairs: The Netherlands' Bep Vriend (one half of the reigning Womens World Pairs Champions) and Anton Maas are lying second. Poland's Danuta Hockeker and Apolinare Kowalski, the current World Mixed Champions, are in third place.

It is not only the top of the table that attracts interest at this stage of the tournament. With only 120 pairs going forward to the main final, there are sure to be some major casualties. Among the pairs at risk we find a host of famous names, including Auken & Auken, McGowan & Hackett, Bessis & Bessis, Rossano & Vivaldi, Cronier &Mari and Rauscheid & Rohowsky. They are by no means the only champions finding the going tough and they will all be hoping for a big first session today.