Denmark lost the Thomas Cup semifinal against Indonesia

For the first time in history, the Danish Thomas Cup team walked on court in a semifinal at home soil, and the welcoming from the stands was electric. A full venue welcomed Viktor Axelsen and Anthony Ginting as the first players, and the Danish and Indonesian spectators did a good job creating an atmosphere, you do not see often in Europe.

Viktor Axelsen has been leading the Danish team with perfection from the very first tie at the event. With solid performances the reigning Olympic Champion has won the four matches he had played so this week, and on Saturday he continued the good run in the first game. 

“I want this so bad”
Axelsen took the lead 11-6 at the interval against Anthony Ginting, and the Indonesian did not get many chances in the opening game, which Axelsen won 21-9. 

The second game was a ‘Highway to Success’ for Axelsen. Ginting was outplayed from the first to the last rally, and Axelsen secured the first point for Denmark winning 21-15 against the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist.

- I think I had a strong defence most of the match, and I played with good variation, and I was pretty stable until the end. I got a little nervous in the end because I want this so bad, Axelsen said.

Indonesia ‘on point’
In the second game of the tie, Anders Skaarup Rasmussen and Kim Astrup was overpowered by Marcus Gideon and Kevin Sukamuljo in the opening game. The Indonesians won 21-13, but in the second game the Danes bounced back winning 21-10 forcing the match out in three games.

In the third game, the Indonesians were back controlling. After the second game of the tie the overall score was 1-1. Gideon and Sukamuljo won the decider 21-15.

- We had a little way to the victory. Losing with 15 in the third game is not tight, but we put them under pressure, and I know the felt that in the second game and in the beginning of the third game. I am disappointed that we did not manage to follow them to 11 in the third game and put even more pressure on them, Kim Astrup mentioned.

Thrilling men’s singles
The second men’s singles of the tie was a thriller. Jonatan Christie and Anders Antonsen played one of the most entertaining matches of the event, which left all spectators on the edge of their seats. 

Christie won the opening game 25-23, before Antonsen claimed the second game 21-15. The two players have met seven times before with Christie leading the head-to-head 4-3 before today’s match up. Now the lead is 5-3. Antonsen could not hold on to the 6-1 lead he got in the decider, and after 100 minutes of playing the Dane was clearly tired. After the third match of the tie, Indonesia had the lead 2-1. Jonatan Christie won the third game 21-16.

- This was my record playing 100 minutes. It was a very tough game, Jonatan Christie said.

Anders Antonsen did not go to the mixed zone after the match. The Dane had to cool down to avoid cramping.

Big task for MD2
In the fourth match of the tie, Mathias Christiansen and Frederik Søgaard were the clear underdog against Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Rian Ardianto. Before the event, Søgaard and Christiansen had never played together on international level and facing the world number seven was a major task for the Danes.

Christiansen and Søgaard gave it all they had, but it was not enough against 2019 World Championships bronze medallists. The Indonesians won 21-14 21-14.

The result of the tie means that Indonesia will be facing China in the Thomas Cup final on Sunday. Denmark and Japan will be awarded with bronze medals.

Denmark – Indonesia 1-3

Viktor Axelsen - Anthony Ginting 21-9 21-15

Anders Skaarup Rasmussen/Kim Astrup - Marcus Gideon/Kevin Sukamuljo 13-21 21-10 15-21

Anders Antonsen - Jonatan Christie 23-25 21-15 16-21

Mathias Christiansen/Frederik Søgaard - Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto 14-21 14-21