The two European pairs finding top form in Basel clashed in the men’s doubles final. The European champions Kim/ Rasmussen found their game and marked it with a superstitious celebration.
The German partnership of Mark Lamsfuss/ Marvin Seidel today marked their biggest career final and they had to knock out some big names to get there. Olympic silver medallists Goh V Shem/ Tan Wee Kiong were sent packing and in the semifinal, the number one seeds and Thailand Open finalists, Aaron Chia/ Soh Wooi Yik suffered the same fate.
The reigning European champions, Kim Astrup/ Anders Rasmussen have been on a long journey to re-find their level. Ever since their final’s day win at the 2021 European Mixed Team Championships in Finland two weeks ago, it seems that a switch has been flicked, and their usual confident and energetic game is back. Everything they have been working towards fell into place in their semifinal against Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/ Chirag Shetty with a dominant win.
Both pairs came into the final with great momentum, with the Germans also having that EMTC21 semifinal win in the back of their minds. However, everything clicked into place for the Danes who were able to win 21-16 21-11 and explained why this second Swiss Open win was important.
-From the way we have played lately, I would say it is what we have needed and what we have dreamt of. There are so many good pairs here looking at the draw before who have been playing so well lately, and we haven’t been part of that group. So to stand here in first place is a real achievement for us, Rasmussen stated while getting high-fives from passing teammates.
In an outpouring of emotions, we saw running around, dancing and Rasmussen throwing the racket up and dropping it on his head.
- I had in my mind to do the same celebration we did last time we won here, so I hit my head with the racket as well, Rasmussen explained.
With a new dose of confidence, the Danes are very much looking forward to the All England Open.
-We are going there and will play one hell of a tournament, Astrup exclaimed as their final line in the interview.
Stoevas stunned
Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva have been faultless all week in Switzerland and have not dropped a single game. The 2020 SaarLorLux Open champions came to Basel in search of back-to-back titles and the last pair standing in their way was the unseeded surprise Malaysian package of Pearly Tan/ Thinaah Muralitharan.
Tan/ Muralitharan showed great defence against the Bulgarian’s powerful attack, which frustrated them. Eventually, the young combination was able to grind down the European champions and take victory 21-19, 21-12.
- We were under no pressure, so we were able to give our all out there, Muralitharan said with a big smile.
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