Vladimir Ivanov and Ivan Sozonov were under pressure, but the former European Champions are ready for the semifinals at Denmark Open.

On paper it should not be too hard a challenge for the 2014 European Champions against the unranked opponent, but Danish Jeppe Bay and Lasse Mølhede put up a great fight and took it to the edge of the deciding game.

The Danes won the first game 21-15, while the Russians won the second game 21-13 taking the match to the decider.

- We started very bad and the young guys played well. They had some luck in the important moments of the first game, and we lost concentration. We found our game in the second game, and step by step we reached our level, Ivan Sozonov stated.

Close to an upset
Denmark Open has already seen favorites bow out of the tournament losing to the underdog. The defending European men’s doubles champions, Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen left the tournament early, and their countrymen, Bay and Mølhede, got the perfect start of the third game coming closer to make the big upset.

The Danes led 5-0 and 11-7 before Ivanov and Sozonov gained control taking the lead 18-15. The Russians missed out on the first match point, but the world number 24 are ready for the semifinals winning 21-19 in the decider.

- We have not played international badminton for seven months, so it is difficult for us. We have seen it is difficult for the top players this week, Ivanov said.

- Today we had a good sprint in the third game from the interval, Sozonov added.

Ivan Sozonov and Vladimir Ivanov will face either English Ben Lane/Sean Vendy or Jones Ralfy Jansen/Peter Kaesbauer, Germany in the semifinal on Saturday.