The Qatari pairing made a strong start to the tournament by beating Latvia’s Edgars Točs and Kristians Fokerots in their opening Pool A match.

Cherif and Ahmed came from behind to win 20-22, 28-26, 18-16.

Spain’s Pablo Herrera and Adrián Gavira faced the home favourites in the second group match, following their earlier 21-14, 21-14 win over The Netherlands’ Leon Luini and Ruben Penninga.

Cherif and Ahmed were required to play three sets for the second consecutive match, with the pairing fending off a match point to eventually win 22-20, 19-21, 18-16.

The hard-fought wins saw the duo move to the top of the Pool A standings, with a place in the knockout stage looking likely.

Second seeds Michal Bryl and Bartosz Losiak of Poland lead Pool B after winning their opening two matches in straight sets,

The Dutch duo Yorick de Groot and Stefan Boermans have won two matches in Pool C, a feat matched by Brazil’s Renato and Vitor Felipe in Pool D.

The top six seeds all emerged from the opening day of pool action unbeaten, with Daniele Lupo and Alex Ranghieri of Italy winning two matches in Pool E.

Women’s top seeds Katja Stam and Raïsa Schoon enjoyed a strong start to their campaign.

The Dutch team overcame Lithuanian qualifiers Monika Paulikiene and Erika Kliokmanaite 21-17, 15-21, 15-8

Stam and Schoon then secured a straight-sets 21-12, 21-16 win over the United States’ Corinne Quiggle and Sarah Schermerhorn.

Barbara and Carol of Brazil won both their Pool B matches in straight sets.

Australia’s Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho Del Solar mirrored the achievement in Pool D, with Germany's Sandra Ittlinger and Isabel Schneider doing likewise in Pool E.