The 2015 Iceland International was held for the 18th time in Reykjavik. 135 players from 22 countries took part in the 5.000 Dollars event. Many talented youngsters but also some relatively known players like Akvile Stapusaityte of Lithuania, who played at the Olympic Games, or her compatriot Kestutis Navickas and a total of 135 players started their fights for the Icelandic crown in Reykjavik. The qualification stage was played in men’s and women’s on Thursday. Until the end of the tournament on Sunday, 163 matches had been played with some unexpected results until the finals.
Milan Ludik of Czech Republic was the winner in the men´s singles event as he beats Matthias Almer of Austria in two games 21-9 and 21-19. Ludik, who is hoping to win the Czech International on home soil next weekend, is eager to qualify for the Rio Olympics in 2016.
In the finals of the women’s singles event, Mette Poulsen of Denmark, seeded number three, beats Nanna Vainio from Finland. Poulsen won against Akvile Stapusaityte, the winner of last year’s Iceland International edition, in the semi-finals. Second seed Anna Rankin from New Zealand lost her match in the second round.
The final in men´s doubles category was between Scotland and Denmark. Martin Campbell and Patrick Machugh of Scotland, the winners of Iceland International 2014 won in straight games, 21-16 and 21-17, over the young Danish duo of Dinesen/Aalestrup.
The women doubles final match was an all-Danish affair. Lena Grebak and Maria Helsbøl beat Emilie Juul Møller and Cecilie Sentow in straight games, 21-13 and 21-12. The new crowned champions did not drop a single game during the entire competition and their opponents never got more than 14 points.
Also the mixed doubles finals was between two Danish opponents as Nicklas Mathiasen and Cecilie Bjergen, seeded number four, beat Lasse Moelhede and Trine Villadsen in two games 21-11 and 21-15.
All final matches were shown on national TV.
Interviews with the winners can be found on
YouTube and
Facebook.
The 2015 Iceland International finals results:
MS: Milan Ludik (CZE) - Matthias Almer (AUT) 21-9, 21-19
WS: Mette Poulsen (DEN) - Nanna Vainio (FIN) 21-11, 21-9
MD: Martin Campbell/Patrick Machugh [SCO) - Frederik Aalestrup/ Kasper Dinesen (DEN) 21-16, 21-17
WD: Lena Grebak/Maria Helsbøl (DEN) - Emilie Juul Møller/Cecilie Sentow (DEN) 21-13, 21-12
XD: Nicklas Mathiasen/Cecilie Bjergen (DEN) - Lasse Moelhede/Trine Villadsen (DEN) 21-11, 21-15
To view all of the results from the Iceland International 2015 –
click here.