Photo: Badmintonphoto

Today it’s time for the quarterfinals at VICTOR Denmark Open 2024.

With some epic battles yesterday, we are excited to get started with today’s quarterfinals.

Get the full overview of today’s matches which also includes international stars such as the former world champion Loh Kean Yew, Olympic winner An Se Young, and homecrowd favorit Anders Antonsen.

Click here for the order of play for Friday’s matches

The VICTOR DENMARK OPEN will take place from October 15-20.

Photo: Badmintonphoto

No less than 13 matches with Danish participation awaits at the second round of the VICTOR Denmark Open 2024.

Top seed, Viktor Axelsen withdrew from Day 3 of competition at the VICTOR Denmark Open 2024 due to sickness. The two-time Olympic champion was playing Alex Lanier in the round of 16 when he began throwing up into a towel after the first game.

The Dane was one game down and tried his best to continue but retired from the match 19-21 11-7 after the second mid-game interval. 19-year-old Alex Lanier was gutted for the Dane.

“I feel bad for him. I looked at his face and saw he wasn’t in a good way. For me personally, I wanted to see him play his best badminton and put up a good fight against him. Before the match I was ready for that. I think the crowd today was ready for that and it’s not the way I wanted to win.
“I tried to talk to him after the match and he told me he was sick. I’m not happy about winning the match this way but I will send him a message because that’s not the way I wanted to finish the match. It wasn’t an easy match to go into. As soon as I entered the arena I knew all the fans would be cheering for Viktor. During the match when I won some good points, I felt that pleased the crowd. I liked that feeling and it was important to stay focused with a good mentality throughout.”

Koki Watanabe delivered a surprise upset by defeating Olympic silver medallist, Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-12, 21-19 in the round of 16.

“I think I did well,” said World No. 13 Watanabe. “Kunlavut isn’t in his best shape after the Paris 2024 Olympics, so it’s not a huge achievement, but it’s a step in the right direction. If you asked me to rank my confidence before the match, I’d say a six,” he joked. “I had to play fast and aggressive, taking every chance. Around 17-16 in the second game, I had to stay focused and keep control. The goal isn’t to be the champion, but to take each match as it comes. I’m excited for the quarterfinals.”

A composed Vitidsarn praised his opponent, saying, “Koki controlled the pace of the match. I felt a lot of pressure. He’s improved his attacking game since he last beat me in 2019 and has great mental strength. I am dealing with a foot injury, but it’s okay.”

→ Results (Day 3)
→ Order of play (Day 4)

WHAT OTHERS SAID:
“Huang Dong Ping has always been my hero growing up. She’s amazing at the net, I was very excited on court to play her. I know they say don’t meet your heroes but I am so happy to be standing next to her.” – Amalie Cecile Kudsk on meeting her idol, Huang Dong Ping at the Denmark Open.

“I’m really flattered by Amalie’s comments. I didn’t know that before the match and it’s always nice to be told I’m someone’s idol. Especially by a player. I thought she was really fun to play against and these kinds of comments make me more excited to play.” – Huang Dong Ping reacts to Kudsk’s compliments.

“I have been playing on the senior circuit for a while now and the thing I have learnt most is to keep up the physical side of matches when you play. It’s also important to keep mentally alert with the fitness. I am looking forward to graduating from high school next year. My favourite subject is art.” – Tomoka Miyazaki

“Life since being a dad is great. I always joke with my wife about not having enough sleep and I know I shouldn’t joke about that anymore as she’s looking after our baby. So, I’ll stop making that joke.” – Loh Kean Yew jests about becoming a first-time father.

“Today, my focus was on the job we had to do because we knew we had to play our best to have a chance against Matsuyama and Shida. We needed to bring our ‘A game’. I actually forgot it was our last tournament together until the last shuttle fell.” – Maiken Fruergaard on her last competitive match with Sara Thygesen after a 12-year partnership together.

“I think if the commentator calls it the ‘Ben Lane Reverse Turtle’ then that’s what I will call it too. My back is fine. It was just the impact of the ground, but I caught it and at 19-20 I was thinking I must do everything to get this. So I threw myself backwards and I got it.” – Ben Lane on his swift new badminton move.

Photo: Badmintonphoto

No less than 13 matches with Danish participation awaits at the second round of the VICTOR Denmark Open 2024.

Today, the Danish homecrowd must be on their marks as 13 matches will be played with Danish participation.

Players like Viktor Axelsen, Anders Antonsen, Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup, Alexandra Bøje/Robin Tabeling, and Mia Blichfeldt enter the courts.

Get the full overview of todays matches which also includes international stars such as Jonatan Christie, An Se Young, and Liang/Wang.

Click here for the order of play for Tuesday’s matches

The VICTOR DENMARK OPEN will take place from October 15-20.

Photo: Badmintonphoto

Anders Antonsen made it 10-0 against Toma Junior Popov in the opening round of the VICTOR Denmark Open 2024 on Day 2 of competition.

This article is written by BWF.

Today, Anders Antonsen was up for his match number ten against Toma Junior Popov. Ahead of the game, Antonsen had won every head-to-head game which was kind of crazy if you ask Antonsen himself.

During todays game it was a battle which was difficult to predict. Popov made it hard for home favorit but in the second and third game, the Dane got in control and secured his win number ten against the Frenshman. 

“I don’t know. It surprises me because we have played so many close matches and it’s kind of crazy that I have a 10-0 head-to-head over him. I don’t think it represents the level we play at. I think we’re even. With my brother being my coach, at the beginning we kept communication to a minimum. He (Kasper) talks during the intervals and not so much between games and that’s how we are doing things for now.” – A modest Anders Antonsen on the block Toma Junior Popov has against him and how he’s progressing under brother and new coach, Kasper Antonsen.

Speaking to BWF post-match from Odense, Yeo said: “It was a tough first round match and I think Yamaguchi made a lot of mistakes in the first game. That gave me a gap and I was able to hold that until the end. Every win boosts my confidence.”

It is Yeo’s first win over the two-time world champion in five years since her victory at the 2019 World Championships but she took it all in her stride.

“Every player has ups and downs during their careers. I take every chance I have in every competition and keep trying to get better and continue to up my confidence. After the Olympics I took a break for a week, then I got ill. I skipped the Japan Open but other than that I have continued to play tournaments.”

Yamaguchi was all praise for her opponent post-match. “Yeo played very well and fast. I couldn’t keep up with her speed. I took time off after the Olympics. I needed to mentally reset myself. 2024 was spent building my way towards Paris 2024 and I needed the time to recuperate. I relax by spending time with my family and friends.”
Yeo gets 2022 world junior champion, Tomoka Miyazaki in the next round. This will be their second meeting with the Japanese shuttler leading 1-0.

Later, Kenta Nishimoto gate crashed the party for Anthony Sinisuka Ginting’s chances as he outclassed the Indonesian 21-12, 15-21, 22-20.

“It was a mentally challenging game. It was a matter of who could control the nerves more. When I was 10-3 down in the third game I was struggling to get the positivity going in my mind. I felt the pressure and I made some mistakes. Getting a run of five straight points gave me a boost and I was exhausted by the end. I want to play better and be world No.1.”

It is the second loss in opening round for Ginting following his defeat to Lu Guang Zu at at the CLASH ROYALE Arctic Open 2024 powered by YONEX last week.

Puzzled by the loss he revealed: “I don’t know what happened. I think the drift from one side to the other was a factor. Nishimoto came prepared and played more attacking in the last games. The last two weeks have come with a lot of pressure and I’ve learnt a lot about myself. I’m now looking forward to my wedding and planning it. It will be fun.”

→ Results (Day 2)
→ Order of play (Day 3)

WHAT OTHERS SAID:

“We were clear on what we wanted to do in our match and we communicated a lot in every point and that was the main thing. I have something on my foot as a prevention measure but I have blister from a previous tournament. It’s nothing serious, I can carry on.” – Pearly Tan

“We gave it out best today. Winning the Arctic Open last week isn’t an excuse for any fatigue we might feel but we’ll try again at the next event which will be the Kumamoto Masters.” – Nur Izziddin

“It feels good to be back on court with Kim Won Ho. We haven’t played together for a while. After the Olympics I visited a lot of pretty cafes and the beach. Then it was back to training.” – Jeong Na Eun

“I really like playing in this hall, it works for me. The men’s singles field is great to play in and I am not scared to play anyone. I would love to play Viktor Axelsen or Anders Antonsen. It’s playing the greats like them that can make you a better player.” – defending Denmark Open champion, Weng Hong Yang.

Photo: Badmintonphoto

Are you ready for the world’s best badminton players? Watch them on court this Wednesday at the VICTOR DENMARK OPEN.

Yesterday we witnessed some wonderful badminton on the courts in Jyske Bank Arena. Are you ready for more?

Today some of the world’s best players will enter the courts in Odense. Yamaguchi, Anders Antonsen, and Jonatan Christie just to name a few.

For the home crowd, Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup will be the double to watch as they inspired the Danish fans with there solid performance at the world championships on home soil back in 2023.

Take a closer look of all todays matches right here: See the full Wednesday match schedule

The VICTOR DENMARK OPEN will take place from October 15-20.