Anders Antonsen grabs second European title
Denmark’s Anders Antonsen staved off a dogged effort by Frenchman Toma Junior Popov to claim his second men’s singles European title, adding to the gold he won in 2021. Antonsen defeated the European bronze medallist 21-18, 21-13 in a tussle that lasted 55 minutes.
Popov came into the clash with momentum after his semi-final victory over Danish world number one Viktor Axelsenaiming to become the first Frenchman to win the men’s singles title.
The first game was a close encounter, with Popov staying within striking distance for the majority of their arm wrestle. Antonsen managed to pull away and take the first game.
Popov briefly had his nose in front in the second game with a 3-1 lead before Antonsen levelled the score and moved ahead. At 14-12 in Antonsen’s favour, Popov still had a chance to force the decider.
However, Antonsen scored five unanswered points (19-12) to ultimately knock the wind out of Popov’s sails and take the win.
The men’s doubles final saw two Danish pairs take each other on for the continental spoils, with top seeds Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen adding the title to their gold medal from 2018. Astrup and Rasmussen beat compatriots Andreas Soendergaard and Jesper Toft 21-16, 21-15 for the doubles crown.
Three-time European champions Gabriela Stoeva and Stefani Stoeva met their match in the French duo of Margot Lambert and Anne Tranwho battled from a game down to win 16-21, 21-17, 21-11. Lambert and Tran not only brought the Stoeva sisters’ reign of three tournaments to an end but also became the first French duo to win the doubles title.
2024-04-14 07:00:00
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