Anders Antonsen collapsed with relief after the final point to win the Korea Open after a two and a half year wait for a title.
For the former world number two and dual World Championship medallist, there is an expectation to regularly add to your trophy cabinet each year. However, the Dane’s last World Tour success was in the Covid-disrupted 2020 season with victory at the Denmark Open and World Tour Finals. In 2021, Antonsen collected the gold at the European Championships and then a bronze at the December 2021 World Championships, interesting losing to today’s opponent, Loh Kean Yew, who was the eventual champion.
Antonsen came close to a title win when reaching this year’s Singapore Open final, however, he came up just short against Indonesia’s Anthony Ginting.
Today, Antonsen was determined to end the long wait for a title against Singapore’s star, Loh Kean Yew. Since that loss in the World Championships semifinal two years ago, the Dane scored a three-game win against Loh at last year’s All England Open to even the head-to-head at 1-1.
The symmetry
Both players found success this week through adapting their games to the situation and conditions, often going on big surges of points to swing the match in their favour. In today’s final, Loh made the first move and ran away with the opening game, only for Antonsen to mirror it, setting up a deciding game.
Loh had the edge with his explosive attacking game early on, however, a vital six-point surge for Antonsen gave him a 13-8 lead. Loh was playing catch-up and threatened to steal the win, but in the pivotal moments, Antonsen came up with the answers. When it was all won, Antonsen collapsed to the floor in relief and delight. 21-11, 11-21, 21-19.
In a year where the World Championships will be played in Denmark, this win will make the Dane dream even bigger.
Other finals
Feng Yan Zhe/ Huang Dong Ping picked up their fourth title of the year in an all-Chinese mixed doubles final against Jiang Zhen Bang/ Wei Ya Xin. 21-16, 21-13.
Chen Qing Chen/ Jia Yi Fan reminded the world who’s at the top of the women’s doubles game with a win over home-favourites Kim So Yeong/ Kong Hee Yong. 21-10, 17-21, 21-7.
An Se Young put on a sensational display in front of her adoring fans against Tai Tzu Ying, defending her title in a dominant two-game win. 21-9, 21-15.
The Indian Asian champions, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/ Chirag Shetty retain their 100 per cent record in finals this year and add another title through a robust performance against the world number one pair Fajar Alfian/ Muhammad Rian Ardianto. 17-21, 21-13, 21-14.
Make sure you tune in for the Japan Open next week!