In a blink of an eye, we are yet again down to the final four in each category in Bangkok. Many players and pairs are still in the running for the double at the two Thailand Opens.
The European Champions, Carolina Marin and Viktor Axelsen, stole the headlines last week, and are moving swiftly on the same path to do the same at the TOYOTA Thailand Open.
The number five seed Carolina Marin faced Turkey’s Neslihan Yigit who came out on top against Germany’s Yvonne Li after an hour-long battle yesterday. Having previously played at three European individual and team championships, today was always going to be a tough task for the first-ever Turkish player to qualify for the Olympics.
The first game was a Spanish storm as Marin took the game 21-6. Yigit then responded well in the second game, even leading 11-8 at the break. However, at 13-13, Marin was able to kick away and secure the game 21-15.
Axelson’s form in Thailand is slowly making badminton fans across the globe readjust their men’s singles pick come the Tokyo Olympics. He overpowered Daren Liew today 21-16, 21-15 and will face Chou Tien Chen tomorrow in a repeat of the All England Open final.
Antonsen stared defeat in the face
After 80 minutes of play, it was a nerve-wracking end to the quarterfinal between Anders Antonsen and Sameer Verma. The last three matches between the two indicated that Antonsen would be the strong favourite.
It was certainly looking that way in the opening game, with the Dane winning 21-13. In the second game, however, the lead was exchanged eight times until Verma finally broke through with three points in a row to win 21-19.
The theme continued in the decider, with the plucky Indian reaching match point first. Staring defeat in the face, Antonsen himself put together an all-important three-point run to win 22-20.
-Verma is a warrior and fights really hard so it was a tough match. The struggle was to keep the game plan the whole match. I am not totally in my flow so I need to work on that, Antonsen said thoughtfully.
Vittinghus and the phantom net fault
Hans-Kristian Vittinghus, or ‘HK’ to his fans, in today’s quarterfinal, played Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu, who after defeating fifth seed Anthony Ginting, looked likely to stop the Danish 35-year-old’s fun in Bangkok after a strong run. But it was not to be.
After a closely fought opening game, which went to Lee 22-20, Vittinghus stepped it up. In his interview after defeating Rhustavito, he said he feels good physically, and he was not wrong. Increasing the pace, Vittinghus took the game 21-12.
In the deciding match, a substantial favour gift went Ginting’s in a great coincidence.
Being 17-12 down, Lee made a strong comeback with good momentum, levelling the score at 19-19. Then came a controversial net fault from Vittinghus, ultimately leading to him taking the game 21-19 and his victory.
Likely watching on and celebrating from his hotel room, this result sends Ginting to the World Tour Finals next week. What makes it a little bit more special is that when Lee won his home 2019 Hong Kong Open final against Ginting, it was after he made a net fault on the last point which was not seen to win 22-20. What a unique way for Ginting to qualify for the end of season finale next week.
Commenting on that controversial point, he says.
-The net kill I got at 19-19 is extremely lucky because I almost tore down the net. But I think it showed I was still brave at that moment.
Vittinghus, who is playing some great badminton in Thailand shares his thoughts on how pleased he is with his game.
-I think today I played some of the best defence I have played throughout my career. I think Lee is a tremendous attacking player, his net game is so tight and when he finds his rhythm his smashes are unbelievable. I had to keep my composure in the end, but I am really happy I have one more chance tomorrow.
Tomorrow he faces his fellow countryman, Anders Antonsen, 12 years his junior. Incredibly this is their first encounter on the competitive stage.
For the full results and fixtures, click here.