DENMARK OPEN QF - Danish Duos Still Going Strong

Saturday, 24 October 2009 10:25

The encouraging crowd in the stadium seemed to have boosted Denmark’s performance in this, their home tournament. Denmark managed to squeeze three doubles pairs through into the semi-finals of the 2009 Denmark Open Super Series, making it the only country to have representatives in all five events of the tournament.

By Serla Rusli, Badzine Correspondent, Live in Odense. Photos: Badmintonphoto.com (Live)

Second seeded Joachim Fischer Nielsen / Christinna Pedersen (pictured) eliminated Indonesian pair Devin Lahardi Fitriawan / Lita Nurlita in a 21-19, 21-12 match.

After a close first game, the Danes were able to adjust to the game better in the second game.

"We didn’t use a very good tactic in the first game, but then we changed in the second game and we were able to take control. We tried to put Christinna forward nearer to the net and it worked," explained Joachim.

"The crowd support was also fantastic. They were with us right from the beginning and it was great playing here," said Christinna.

Their opponents will be Robert Mateusiak / Nadiezda Kostiuczyk from Poland who beat Chris Adcock / Gabrielle White in the shortest match of the day with 21-9, 21-7.

The other side of the draw will see the clash between Tao Jiaming / Zhang Yawen and Anthony Clark / Donna Kellogg. Tao/Zhang upset the first seed of the tournament Nova Widianto / Lilyana Natsir in 10-21, 21-17, 21-13.

Pink Panthers Cruise Through

Third seeded Mathias Boe / Carsten Mogensen also advanced into the semi-finals. Both players, who have decided to wear pink to live up the atmosphere, played brilliantly in a tough match against the English pair Chris Adcock / Robert Blair. The match went to the Danes’ way in 21-16, 21-19. They have to face none other than the Olympic Champions Markis Kido / Hendra Setiawan in the semi-finals.

The two other Danish pairs did not survive the quarter-finals, however. Lars Paaske / Jonas Rasmussen had to bow down to second seeded Malaysians Tan Boon Heong / Koo Kien Keat in an 11-21, 16-21 defeat. Meanwhile Kasper Henriksen / Anders Kristiansen were eliminated from the tournament by the Chinese pair Sun Junjie / Tao Jiaming in the last match of the day. They lost in a thrilling 21-19, 19-21, 16-21 match.

Exciting Women’s Doubles

One of the most exciting matches of the day came from the women’s doubles event. The clash between Kamilla Rytter Juhl / Lena Frier Kristiansen (pictured) and Miyuki Maeda / Satoko Suetsuna lasted for 70 minutes and in the end the Danes reigned over the Japanese in 12-21, 21-19, 21-19.

"In the first set, we played too slow, and so we decided to play a little bit faster. It was a really good and exciting match just now and I’m really happy that we won," said Juhl, who were visibly happy and excited after the match.

"The crowd was also amazing and encouraging because they kept cheering for us all the time."

The Danes would have to overcome yet another Japanese pair in the semi-finals. Shizuka Matsuo / Mami Naito upset the third seeded Indonesians in the quarter-finals in 21-18, 21-18.

First seeded Chin Eei Hui / Wong Pei Tty had to kiss an early goodbye to Denmark Open as they were beaten by the Chinese pair Pan Pan / Zhang Yawen in 11-21, 21-17, 21-12. The Chinese are set to face Zhang Dan and Zhang Zhibo from Macao.

For all results click HERE

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