European champions Carolina Marin and Viktor Axelsen continued their formidable form in 2021 and took the Swiss Open singles titles in style.
In the most anticipated final, Olympic champion Carolina Marin took on World Champion Pusarla V. Sindhu for the women’s singles title.
In their fourteenth meeting, the fierce rivals battled for the first time since January 2019. Marin and Sindhu have featured in some of the biggest finals, namely the 2016 Rio Olympics final and the 2018 World Championships final. Marin took both, however, Sindhu in 2019 won her World Championships gold in this very arena, the St. Jakobshalle in Basel.
Despite the expectations of a close battle, the writing was on the wall from the very first rally, Marin was looking strong and did not let up until the title was hers. In the shortest match of finals day, Marin took just 35 minutes to win 21-12, 21-5.
-I feel really, really happy today. I think I played one of my best games I think. I was so focused on what I have to do against her. I managed to do what I have been training at home and it felt really good.
What makes it even more impressive is that Marin incredibly revealed that she went from a potential tournament-ending injury to playing one over her best games in the final.
-Actually, if I have to tell you something. On Tuesday I thought that maybe I cannot play this tournament because I struggled with my Soleus [lower limb muscle], I thought it could be broken. I was really scared. I gave it a try to see if I can play, and ultimately I was able to win the final.
Time flies as Axelsen picks up second Swiss Open
Seven years on from his win here in 2014, the Dane had a straight game run to the final. His opponent, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the three-time World Junior Championships gold medallist, put together a precise gameplan in the opening game, which made Axelsen think, but the Axelsen engine was purring in the second game, as he won 21-16, 21-6.
-It feels awesome. Seven years later. I cannot believe how time flies. I have always enjoyed coming here to Basel, even though this time it’s special because of all the restrictions, but it’s been a solid week overall considering everything, so I am really happy to grab the win here.
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