Anders Antonsen is ready for the European Championship semi-final after a two-set victory over Arnaus Merkle, but it was extremely tough
Anders Antonsen is one step away from a potential pure Danish EC final in men’s singles. (Archive photo). Photo: Adek Berry/Ritzau Scanpix
Anders Antonsen moved a step closer to the final match at this year’s European Badminton Championships on Friday. But it required blood, sweat and plenty of match balls to play through to the semi-finals.
Friday’s quarter-final against Frenchman Arnaud Merkle, world number 46, was a big drama. Antonsen ended up pulling out victorious with the numbers 24-22, 27-25.
In the second set, the Danish star, who is number four in the world, had to use a total of five match balls to save the ticket to the semi-finals.
Conversely, he also had to fend off six French set balls throughout the match – four in the first set and two in the second. Antonsen himself abused a single in the first set.
Indeed, it seemed for a long time that Merkle would surprisingly take the first set. From 16-16 he pulled back a bit, and at 20-17 there were three French set balls.
All of them were blocked by Antonsen, plus an extra one, before he even took the set home in the second attempt.
However, that did not break Merkle. He hung on throughout the second set as well, which ended in an incredible drama of rebounds, set points and match points.
In the end, Antonsen managed to move on.
Later on Friday, a purely Danish affair will find another of the semi-finalists. It happens when Rasmus Gemke meets Viktor Axelsen. However, the winner can only meet Antonsen in the final.
In men’s doubles, three of the four semi-final pairs are Danish. Thus, a Danish final place is certain in that category. And the chances of a purely Danish final are good.
On the other hand, Denmark has disappointed tremendously in women’s singles and doubles. Only Julie Dawall is left in singles, while Maiken Fruergaard and Sara Thygesen disappointingly lost to a Turkish pair in Friday’s quarter-finals.
In mixed doubles, Denmark is represented in both semi-finals.
2024-04-12 19:00:29
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