Jan O Jorgensen reached an unprecedented eighth quarterfinal at the Denmark Open today.
The second round match promised a lot on paper. Jorgensen faced the 22-year-old debutant Toma Junior Popov in his thirteenth appearance at the home event. Indeed, the match turned out to be far more exciting than expected, with momentum shifting rapidly.
Despite a slow start, the Dane caught up at 12-12 in the first game and controlled the proceedings to close out the opener. The next game began in an identical manner, but Jorgensen got a bit cold. The Frenchman scored eight consecutive points to force a decider.
- The first set was easier than I expected. I didn’t know what to expect in the second game. He was more aggressive.
- I was trying to set up rallies but made some big mistakes on cross-court smashes. I went all-in on the pushes but he was pretty good at countering them. So, I let go in the second game.
Nothing to lose
Down 7-8 in the third, the former world number two went all out against the youngster. He reeled off nine straight points with an entertaining 60-shot rally at 15-8.
- I gave it all I had. I tried to be disciplined and more aggressive on the net. That went well.
A frustrated Popov offered tame resistance towards the end as Jorgensen sealed the verdict 21-16, 10-21, 21-14.
Current form
- I am quite surprised that I am feeling this good today. Honestly, I played badminton two days in a row a long time ago. I guess I will be feeling my body tomorrow morning when I wake up, but it doesn’t matter. I am going to celebrate tonight.
Passing on the legacy
It is very likely that Jorgensen will next face the top Danish men’s singles player and world number three Anders Antonsen. He talked about his teammate with a lot of affection.
- I have played him many times in training. I once played against him at the nationals but lost in three games. He was very young and I was the heavy favourite. I really didn’t think I could lose to him. He was so skinny and only loud in the mouth. But he showed that I was wrong because he won the match.
- He is a world-class player and has a really bright future. I’m going to watch him play in the future with great excitement. I wish the best for him and the other guys.
- I feel like I have been a part of their career. I have practised with them for a long time. I built on from legends like Peter Gade and my coach Kenneth Jonassen and am passing on the legacy. I think it is well done. It will come full circle tomorrow, hopefully, against Anders.
Popov in the quarterfinals
Even though he lost in the men’s singles today, Popov will contest the men’s doubles quarterfinal with his younger brother Christo Popov tomorrow. Following the withdrawal of top seeds Takeshi Kamura/Keigo Sonoda, they will be up against the English pair of Marcus Ellis/Chris Langridge.
Another Danish-French encounter
Perhaps Denmark’s best women’s singles prospect since the former world number one Tine Baun, the European Games champion Mia Blichfeldt had a convincing win over Yaelle Hoyaux today. She is through to the quarterfinals of the home tournament Denmark Open.
The Dane started brilliantly with a 6-0 lead. She constantly pressurized the deep backhand corner of the left-handed French player to breeze through the opening game. The proceedings took a different turn after the change of ends.
With Blichfeldt having trouble finding the backline due to the drift, Hoyaux grew in confidence with some impressive steep smashes. Hoyaux led 11-9 at the mid-game interval and increased the gap, only for the Dane to close it down.
With the score levelled at 18-18, a brilliant attacking play by Hoyaux won her the rally. However, she tried to rush towards the business end of the game, which backfired against a higher-ranked player. The match was Blichfeldt’s 21-8, 21-19 in 31 minutes after a scintillating final rally.
Among the Danish stars
Tine Baun was the last Danish women’s singles player to make the semifinals at this tournament, way back in 2009. With the head-to-head record poised at 1-1, Blichfeldt will sense her chances against Michelle Li to set up a possible semifinal clash with the Japanese ace Nozomi Okuhara.