Alex Lanier Claims Historic Danish Open Title in Odense Against Anders Antonsen
Alex Lanier secured the Danish Open badminton title on Sunday, October 18, 2026, in Odense, defeating home favorite and world number two Anders Antonsen 21-15, 13-21, 21-13 in a match that lasted 1 h 16. The victory makes the 21-year-old from Caen the first French singles player to ever win the prestigious tournament, which dates back to its inception in 1936.
How the Final Unfolded on the Court
Playing in Odense where local supporters roared for Antonsen, the eighth-ranked Lanier started aggressively. He claimed the opening game 21-15. Antonsen, who stood just one win away from claiming the world number-one ranking for the first time in his career, adjusted his tactics in the second frame. Backed by the home crowd, the Dane pushed the tempo and leveled the match by taking the second set 21-13.
VICTOR Denmark Open 2026MS – Final21 13 21 🇫🇷Alex LANIER🏅15 21 13 🇩🇰Anders ANTONSEN🕚 in 77 minutes
Rather than crumbling under the physical and mental pressure, Lanier regained his composure in the decider. He played proactively in the game’s key exchanges, sealing the final set 21-13 to capture his second Super 750 title of the season and the third of his professional career.
A Rapid Ascent for French Badminton
This triumph arrives less than two months after Lanier made history at the world championships in New Delhi in late August 2026, where he defeated Japan’s Kodai Naraoka to become the first French player to win a world singles title. His victory in Denmark extends a series for French men’s singles badminton on the BWF World Tour, a streak that began when he won the Japan Open Super 750 in 2024 and continued with his European Championship crown in 2025 and the Singapore Open earlier in 2026.
Earlier Rounds in Odense
The path to the final required navigating a demanding week of competition from October 13 to 18, 2026. The day before the championship match, in the semi-finals, Lanier eliminated Canadian player Victor Lai. In the other semi-final bracket, Anders Antonsen defeated Christo Popov, which prevented the tournament from featuring an all-French final.
Quick Turnaround for the French Open in Paris
Lanier has little time to celebrate his historic win in Scandinavia. The BWF World Tour moves immediately to France for the Yonex French Open, another Super 750 event scheduled from October 20 to 25, 2026. For the first time, the tournament will be hosted at the Arena Grand Paris in Tremblay-en-France. Lanier will enter the draw as the world champion, taking the court for his opening match in front of a home crowd on Wednesday.
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