The Dutch mixed doubles, Robin Tabeling and Cheryl Seinen, was not pleased when they saw that their first-round opponents turned out to be Russians Ivan Sozonov and Evgeniya Kosetskaya.
- When we saw the draw to play the Russians we knew it was going to be a close match, Tabeling tells Badminton Europe after their match Wednesday morning.
- He is quite a good doubles player – a really good doubles player actually and it’s hard to play against him, Seinen explains.
- So, we tried to focus more on her and I think in some parts it went really well. And that’s why we pulled it in, at the end.
Discipline paid off
With the score 22-20, 21-18, Tabeling and Seinen showed obvious relief and joy after the close match. According to Tabeling, they succeeded by daring to step up and challenge them:
- It feels quite amazing to win the first round. We were disciplined throughout the match, pulled through and won. It feels really amazing.
- The scores show that it was quite close but we were just a little better, and, focused and consistent. But we have to give our best again [tomorrow] and show what we showed today.
Fearless world champion
Viktor Axelsen, who is quite the local hero in his native town of Odense, showed no signs of nervousness in the first round.
His Japanese opponent Takuma Ueda could nothing do against a determined and focused world number one. Axelsen won in front of a boiling crowd; 21-8, 21-11.
The former world number one in women’s singles, Carolina Marin of Spain, is on the other hand not playing in the second round on Thursday. She suffered a to India’s Saina Nehwal; 22-20, 21-18.
Find more results from Denmark Open
here.