The first Badminton Europe International Challenge of 2014 got underway in Uppsala Sweden today with a blend of experience and youthful exuberance on show and looking to book a spot in the main draw of the newly named Swedish Masters.
After a long days play it was the 15 year old Danish talent Irina Amalie Andersen that once again stole the headlines as she progressed through qualification with a mature display beyond her tender years.
The tall Dane took down local Swedish player Berfin Aslan in two easy games before coming up against the powerful and much improved Swiss Ayla Huser in the second round of qualification. Andersen struggled to match the mature power of the Swiss in the opening game and looked beaten when trailing 19-15. However the Dane refused to give in and showed no fear to come back to take the opening game 21-19.
Huser was unable to come back from the disappointment of losing the opening game and a confident Andersen went on to book her main draw spot with a 21-14 win in the second game. The Dane will now face another power player in the shape of 8th seed Olga Golovanova in the first round proper with the match against Huser sure to stand her in good stead.
Estonia’s Karoliine Hoim had one of her better days on court in recent time after an injury nightmare to advance to the main draw and joins the exciting talent of Delphine Lansac who also came through qualification without dropping a game.
Marius Myhre made to battle for main draw spot.
Norwegian number 1 Marius Myhre had the toughest day on court having to endure two matches of three games in order to advance to the main draw. The Norwegian had to call on all his experience against Ukraine’s Artem Pochtarev before coming through in three games against local player Ludvig Parlefors.
Denmark’s Mathias Mundbjerg defeated birthday boy Anatoliy Yartzev to continue his recent good run of form and Sweden had its only qualification day singles victory as Jacob Nilsson defeated fancied duo Jonathan Dolan and Mikkel Mikkelsen en route to the main draw.
The first round proper continues tomorrow at the fantastic Fyrishov Arena in Uppsala with the arrival on court of Sweden’s big hopes Henri Hurskainen in singles and Nico Rupponen and Amanda Högstrom in the mixed doubles event. Hurskainen is seeded two for the tournament but has a tough opening match against Denmark’s Christian Lind Thomsen while Hogstrom and Ruponen have a bye in the opening round and will await the winners of German duo Heinz/Horbach against Yartzev/Kosteskaya of Russia.
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Article and Image by Mark Phelan (Live in Uppsala)
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