In a textbook example of an up and down match, Kalle Koljonen took Mark Caljouw the distance in the opening round of the Denmark Open 2020.
With an attempt to explain what went on on that court, Koljonen of Finland had this to say following the match, which ended 21-9, 12-21, 21-14 in favour of the Dutchman.
-In the first game, I think I was trying to force it too much. Mark has really good defence and I was banging my head against the wall. Then in the second game, I tried to be more patient and build up the chance to attack at the right moment. However, in the third, I had a really bad start. The second half of that last game actually went quite even, but the start was what done it for me in the end.
You have to make a miracle
In that deciding game, Caljouw found himself 11-3 at the change of ends. With such large swings in the game, Koljonen still thought it was possible.
-I still thought I could turn it around, but at this level, being 11-3 down, you really have to make a miracle or the opponent will have to make really huge errors to get back level.
Joining the Centre of Excellence
Koljonen will be training at Badminton Europe’s Centre Of Excellence throughout October. Talking through his thoughts behind this decision, he states.
-During the months of the pandemic I have only been in Finland, so I wanted to find some new opponents. Some fresh air. I hope that I can also come there more often in the future.