Danisa Denmark Open 2017 takes off on Tuesday with qualifications and the first rounds of mixed doubles. Before the European Superseries Premier commends, Badminton Europe (BEC) have talked to former top player, badminton expert and commentator for Danish TV2 SPORT, Jim Laugesen, about the prospects of a European men’s singles winner.
When BEC asked asked Jim Laugesen, he mentioned many factors that speak for that Axelsen can claim the title at this year’s Denmark Open, in Odense. First of all, he has won the two previous tournaments he entered, one of them being nothing less than the World Championships.
- He also won the last tournament, Japan Open, where the only match that went into three sets was the final. It was a bit of bad luck because it could easily have been in two, so, he must be the favourite for this tournament, Laugesen tells Badminton Europe.
As the only seeded European in the men’s singles event, the European spotlight will naturally fall his way in addition to the fact that he is topping the world rankings.
Home advantage
- He is the one they all want to beat right now. He is not top seeded but he is the favourite, there is no doubt about that. And he has to own that.
Danisa Denmark Open takes place in the Danish town of Odense, which is the birth town of the Danish world champion. Laugesen believes that there will be high expectations to the young Dane, and that playing in Odense can work for Axelsen’s and the other Danish men’s singles’ advantages and provide them with a lot of positive energy.
- Someone like Anders Antonsen performed well last year under these circumstances, and he will absolutely be able to do it again and this time maybe reach the semi-finals.
European perspective
- A motivated Jan Ø. Jørgensen free of injuries would also be dangerous in this tournament. We must not forget that Jan has won tournaments that no other European has done before him, so Jan would definitely have been able to make a difference.
Many of the European players still have a to reach a level or two higher before we will see them making the same kinds of Superseries results as Viktor Axelsen and Jan Ø. Jørgensen, according to Laugesen.
- In a European perspective they are top players, but they are missing a little bit to be able to make the same international results. I see Jan Ø as the only other European that can go all the way, but I’m not saying the others won’t be able to go out there and deliver some surprises.
Find the order of play for Day 1
here.