This week the SaarLorLux Open, earlier known as Bitburger Open, are taking place. Today we will be taking a look at the 2013 edition featuring the winner, Selena Piek.
First seeds in all categories
Men’s singles: Marc Zwiebler (Germany)
Women’s singles: Nichaon Jindapon (Thailand)
Men’s doubles: Maneepong Jongjit/Nipitphon Puangpuapech (Thailand)
Women’s doubles: Johanna Goliszewski/Birgit Michels (Germany)
Mixed doubles: Michael Fuchs/Birgit Michels (Germany)
Selena Piek, the Dutch women’s and mixed doubles player has won a lot of titles over the last decade, one of them being the Bitburger Open 2013. Talking about how it was to play the Bitburger Open, Piek said.
- It is special as the Germans are real badminton lovers. So there is always a good cheering crowd and the tournament is always well organized. It also stands out to other tournaments as you cannot do a proper warm up on court as they are missing. So I remember everyone doing there things in the hall way what makes it stand out from other tournaments for sure.
- The audience against us
Piek and Muskens played against a Russian pair, Anastasia Chervaykova/Nina Vislova, in their first match, where they won 21-11, 21-18 and could move on to the second round. In the second round they faced Anastasiya Dmytryshyn/Darya Samarchants from Ukraine and won the match 21-10, 21-7.
In the quarterfinal first seeds Johanna Goliszewski/Birgit Michels from Germany were waiting.
- I remember playing the Germans and it was highlighted as match of the day and scheduled quite late so we knew that we would have the audience against us. We were a little nervous, but I remember us playing brilliantly and giving them no chance in the first game. That gave us such a confidence boost that we managed to win relatively easy in two games.
The Dutch won the match 21-18, 21-17.
Like a European Championship
In the semifinal they played third seeds Lauren Smith/Gabrielle White, now Gabrielle Adcock, from England. This match were also won in straight games 21-16, 21-19, and Piek/Muskens were suddenly in the final as unseeded.
Fourth seeds Hui Ern Ng/Hui Lin Ng from Malaysia were the opponents Piek/Muskens had to beat to claim the title at Bitburger Open. After winning a close first game 22-20, the Dutch could continue their success and won the second game 21-15. They won the tournament without losing a single game.
Great potential
Looking back at the victory that happened seven years ago, it is clear what Piek remembers:
- It was our first big win as a pair and that it was the start of winning six tournaments in a row. What was special that we were cut off financial resources by our NOC so we went there without coaches and payed everything by ourselves. We had to extend our dorm room by three times as we made it to the finals!
Piek/Muskens were unseeded at the tournament and on their way to the claiming the title they bet four European pairs, including first and third seeds.
- It showed that had great potential to become one of the best double pairs amongst Europe. With Juhl/Pedersen standing far above anyone at that time. But that became a goal to work towards to.
What it means today
SaarLorLux 2013 was the first big title that Piek and Muskens won together. Talking about it means for Piek today, she says.
- It was the start of a great partnership for us. Like I said, we ended up winning the Scottish Open, Ireland International, Italian international, Swedish International and the Dutch Championships. So we still joke that we started with the big one and went on winning the other (smaller) ones too. It shows how big of a confidence boost it gave us, and I dare to say that this was the start of a great career for the both of us.
Winners of Bitburger Open 2013
Men’s singles: Chou Tien Chen (Chinese Taipei)
Women’s singles: Nichaon Jindapon (Thailand)
Men’s doubles: Mads Conrad-Petersen/Mads Pieler Kolding (Denmark)
Women’s doubles: Selena Piek/Eefje Muskens (Netherlands)
Mixed doubles: Michael Fuchs/Birgit Michels (Germany)
Click here to see other results from the Bitburger Open 2013.