Circuit

The Dutch men's doubles Jelle Maas and Robin Tabeling won the Italian International title in Milan. (Photo: Badminton Europe)
Double hit for Maas and Tabeling
Date: 12/18/2017 10:50 AM
Published by : Mireille Daal Van
Jelle Maas and Robin Tabeling (The Netherlands) have succeeded to claim the Italian International title after their Scottish Open win. After beating some steady going pairs in previous rounds, upcoming pair Milosz Bochat/Adam Cwalina (Poland) also fell short for the Dutch men in the final.

After a close first set, Maas and Tabeling managed to win the match in two games, resulting in 23-21 21-18. ‘It was fighting for every point against this always well playing Polish pair!’, Tabeling commented after their final match. ‘We are just happy that we could turn the match to our side’ Tabeling continued.

Maas/Tabeling had a long way to the final. Except for the final, they won all of their matches in three games. ‘I think me and Jelle survived the first two round with not our best game. From the quarter finals onwards, we managed get our level back’ Tabeling commented about their streak. ‘We beat some pretty strong pairs’ Tabeling stated. Olympic bronze medal winners Langridge/Ellis (England) were one of those pairs.

For next year, Tabeling hopes that he and Jelle could continue this amazing streak. 

‘We hope to play ourselves in the picture at the 2018 European Championships! That is our main focus for the first half year of 2018!’



Line Christophersen’s tournament to shine
One of the biggest surprises in the tournaments was the 17-year old Line Christophersen (Denmark) who reached the final in women’s singles. Christophersen is the European U17 champion of 2016, but showed in this tournament that experienced European women’s singles players also have to back down for her!

The only one who could stop her in Italy was Thuy Linh Nguyen (Vietnam). ‘It is my first final in a challenge tournament, so I was quite nervous!’ Christophersen stated to Badminton Europe. ‘Next time I will get her’

Overall, Christophersen is very happy with her tournament. ‘I think I was better able to change my game, compared to the last tournaments’ Christophersen commented about her tournament run. ‘But this is what I am training for, so it nice to see results even though I am a young player.’


Amazing end of the year for other European players
Russian pair Ekatarina Bolotova/Alina Davletova had an amazing run in 2017 and Italian International was no different! After winning Hungarian International and reaching the final at Scottish Open, Bolotova and Davletova can add the Italian International title on their victory list!

Also Ben Lane and Jessica Pugh (England) had a solid run in tournaments at the end of the year. Now their good game has finally been rewarded with a tournament victory as they beat their compatriots Ellis and Smith in the final.

Pablo Abian (Spain) also managed to end his year with a tournament win. As  first seeded he full filled the expectation that was upon him and was never in great trouble in all his matches.

An overview of the finals
Men’s Doubles
Jelle Maas/Robin Tabeling (The Netherlands)  beat Milosz Bochat/Adam Cwalina (Poland) : 23-21 21-18
Women’s singles
Thuy Linh Nguyen (Vietnam)  beat Line Christophersen (Denmark): 24-22 16-21 23-21
Women’s doubles
Ekatarina Bolotova/Alina Davletova (Russia)  beat Alexandra Bøje/Sara Lundgaard (Denmark): 21-18 21-11
Mixed doubles
Ben Lane/Jessica Pugh (England) beat Marcus Ellis/Lauren Smith (England): 16-21 21-19 21-4
Men’s singles
Pablo Abian (Spain) beat Lars Schaenzler (Germany): 18-21 21-16 21-14

Find all the matches and results of the Italian International here
©badmintoneurope.com. All rights reserved.

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