The Danes were one of the three European representatives in the quarterfinals, but couldn’t bring their A-game today.
Kim Astrup/ Anders Skaarup Rasmussen faced the veteran Indonesians Mohammad Ahsan/ Hendra Setiawan for the sixth time today. However, they fell short of besting them yet again, extending the head-to-head record to 6-0.
With the Indonesians, it is all about the first three exchanges of a rally. Starting on the slow side, the Danish pair was blown away by the Daddies in just 15 minutes. In contrast, the second game was more hotly contested as Astrup/ Rasmussen upped their pace.
- We attacked a lot from the faster side. It is very unfortunate for us that we could not force the decider, Astrup mused.
- We tried to be competitive and played some points really well. However, we lost the momentum towards the crucial end, Rasmussen added.
The world-renowned flat game of the Indonesians saw them through to the semifinals in straight games. They won 21-15, 22-20. It could have been a different story if the match went the full distance.
- We would have kept fighting until the end, Ahsan replied to the possibility of a decider.
It was almost four out of four for Indonesia
The Daddies face the winner of the clash between the Chinese He Ji Ting/ Tan Qiang and the young Indonesians Leo Rolly Carnando/ Daniel Marthin. He/ Tan, the surprise world silver medallists, came from a game down to secure a spot in the final four.
However, the Daddies are joined by two other compatriot pairs in the other semifinal.
The top seeds Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/ Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo saved six game points in the opener to overcome the Indians Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/ Chirag Shetty. They won 24-22, 21-17. Likewise, Muhammad Shohibul Fikri/ Bagas Maulana fended off three match points against Takuro Hoki/ Yugo Kobayashi. The reigning world champions could not repeat their escape act as they went down 16-21, 21-16, 22-20.
- We practice with Marcus and Kevin a lot. Winning or losing does not matter, we will just give our best tomorrow, the young Indonesians chimed in.
Tai Tzu Ying in fine form
The world number one Tai had a magical touch against Nozomi Okuhara. The usually error-stricken Chinese Taipei ace could not do anything wrong today. The three-time former champion was a class above the defending champion as she closed out the match 21-10, 21-11.
- Today, I made no mistakes, Tai was ecstatic.