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(Photo: Badminton Photo)
Antonsen unable to crack the Ginting puzzle
Date: 7/31/2021 8:23 AM
Published by : Alan Raftery
The reigning European Champion, Anders Antonsen, crashed out of the Olympics, as he lost to the Indonesian Anthony Sinisuka Ginting for the fourth time. Consequently, his compatriot Viktor Axelsen remains the sole European in the competition. 

The 24-year-old from Aarhus has already made his place among the world’s best. He has beaten the likes of Kento Momota, Chen Long, Chou Tien Chen, and Axelsen as well. However, the world number three was yet to win against Ginting before today’s quarterfinal encounter. Antonsen stepped up his game to come close this time but fell short again for the fourth time.

With the drift causing trouble, Antonsen had some difficulty controlling his clears in the first game. As a result, the fifth seed sealed the opener, but only after squandering four-game points. Leading 11-6 at the mid-game interval, Antonsen ran away with the second game to force a decider. 

The Dane had a marginal lead through the first half and led 12-11. This was the turning point of the match. Ginting made his final move, doing what he does best: going for an all-out attack. 

- From the last game, I was thinking the drift was going to my opponent, that's why I tried to attack him and not lift the shuttle too much, Ginting explained. 

However, the nerves showed as he fired two wild smashes to Antonsen’s forehand. The scoreline read 14-11. Nevertheless, with his opponent clearly panting and breathing heavily, the Indonesian continued with the tactic. 

A change of tactics paid off
- I think the key was my performance in the last game. At the critical point, I was trying so hard to attack him. That's why I won a lot of points. When Anders was leading, I tried to change my playing tactics, I tried to attack more and more, he continued. 

He kept up a positive attacking play to score five straight points. This turned the momentum decisively in his favour. Antonsen saved a match point but Ginting converted on his second opportunity. 

It was a fitting end as the Dane failed to retrieve his opponent’s perfect overhead cross-court smash. The Indonesian, the only player to have challenged Momota’s numero uno status, let out a roar as he emerged victorious after an 80-minute battle: 21-18, 15-21, 21-18. 

- The points were so close in the last game, both of us were nervous, wanting to win. When I won, I just shouted! It means everything to me to be in the semifinal because this is the Olympics. It is one of my dreams. I try to give my best at every moment, Ginting was confident. 

He will face either the defending champion Chen Long, or the world number two Chou Tien Chen tomorrow. 

“Ginting was better”
- In the end, Ginting was better, but it was a close game overall. He was faster. I think he was sharper, playing closer to the lines, winning the flat exchanges and I made a few mistakes, way too short also but it was a close match. I felt good out there but it was a tough match. I didn't handle the drift too well, I made too many mistakes, a disheartened Antonsen said. 

- It hurts right now and I have to deal with that pain for the next few weeks. I will be back stronger for sure, he promised. 

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