Denmark’s Sara Thygesen proved the big winner on quarter finals day in Spain winning her way through to the semi’s in both mixed and women’s doubles. Combining two disciplines is no easy task but the Dane expended as little energy as possible winning both quarter finals in two games.
Alongside Niclas Nohr, Thygesen was first on court this afternoon and showed their experience seeing of the threat of one of the surprise pairs of the tournament Adam Hall and Julie Macpherson of Scotland.
- It was a better performance than we had on Tuesday where we nearly lost. We could see the Scots getting frustrated in the second game so we just pushed with pressure and won pretty comfortably in the end.
It was pretty much the same blueprint used later in the evening in her women’s doubles alongside Maiken Fruergaard. Malaysian pair Lim & Tam did show sporadic patches of resistance. The Danes took the opener 211-17 and pushed home from there to win 21-11 in the second game.
Thygesen and Nohr will now play Chen & Peck of Malaysia for a place in the final while in the women’s doubles Thygesen and Fruergaard will have a tougher route to the final where they play top seeded Japanese Matsumoto and Nagahara.
Gilmour shines as three Europeans make women’s singles semi finals
Ahead of the quarter finals Sayaka Takahashi was the heavy favourite to land the women’s singles title this week. The Japanese had blitzed here way through the opening rounds and the form suggested that she might have to much in reserve for Kirsty Gilmour.
It proved to be the exact opposite as Gilmour (pictured above) showed signs of brilliance, especially in defence, to frustrate Takahashi and took her chances when they came her way. Apart from a second set blip the Scot was value for her victory and will fancy her semi final chances against Mitani another Japanese shuttler.
- We had an evolving game plan today against Sayaka. The key I think was a strong defence and just to hang in there when the going got tough. I did that and except for a second game blip the game was pleasing.
There is a guaranteed European women’s singles finalist for sure as the second semi final will be an all Danish shootout between Line Kjaersfeldt and Mia Blichfeldt. Both Danes were strong in this afternoons quarter finals with Blichfeldt in particular showing a much improved level from her earlier round victories.
Like the women’s singles there is a guaranteed men’s singles finalist after both Toby Penty and Rasmus Gemke won their respective quarter finals. Penty wasted little timing as he blasted past Victor Svendsen while Gemke was made work that bit harder against a rejuvenated Ajay Jayaram.
- I could see the fight draining from Victor early in the first set. I knew how he was feeling as I felt like that yesterday against Henri Aarnio but managed to come through.
Gemke and Penty will now play each other for a spot in Sunday's final.