The RSL Iceland International 2020 ended yesterday. Young players came to shine in Reykjavík but only a handful could bring medals home.
Fathurrahman Fauzi from Indonesia, who will turn 21 at the end of the month, successfully returned to playing on the international circuit after a two-year break. After the Swedish Open, where he was stopped in the third round of the qualifications, he clinched the men’s singles title at the Iceland International. The unseeded Indonesian progressed through the qualifications and the main draw. He got the better of Denmark’s Mads Juel Møller, world ranked number seven in the BWF junior ranking, as well as first-seed Alex Lane from England in the quarterfinals.
His opponent in the final was Tomas Toledano, 17, from Spain. The young Spaniard also caused upsets by defeating local champion, Kári Gunnarsson in the opening round and the defending champion Mikkel Enghøj. But he fell 21-14 21-16 to Fathurrahman Fauzi in 33 minutes.
English victories
In an all-England women’s doubles final, Asmita Chaudhari and Pamela Reyes were victorious over Annie Lado and Holly Williams 21-19 21-15. Lado was luckier with Alex Green in the mixed doubles final. They outplayed Scotland’s Joshua Apiliga and Rachel Sugden 21-19 21-17.
Other results
Rachel Sugden crushed 16-year-old Gauri Shidhaye from England in 25 minutes 21-6 21-13 and lifted the women’s singles title.
First seeds Anton Monnberg and Jesper Paul from Finland overwhelmed home players David Bjarni Bjornsson and Kári Gunnarsson 26-24 21-14. The Icelandic pair saved five-game points in the opening game but were unable to find their momentum in the second one.
- To win our first title means a lot. It feels really good to be able to win this kind of tournament. In Bulgaria, we were really close to winning as well, but we came a little short. My goals for this year are to improve and get smarter in my game as much as possible, said Paul after the final.
To see all the results from the Iceland International 2020, click
here.