The Danish Thomas Cup team beat a very talented French team on opening night of the Thomas Uber Cup 2020.

The Danish men’s team is a team consisting of players, who have won medals at the Olympics, World Championships, Thomas Cup and the biggest World Tour tournaments. Saturday evening they faced a French team, on which all the players have won at least one European Youth gold medal.

European super star and reigning Olympic champion, Viktor Axelsen, faced Christo Popov in the first match of the tie. Popov is without any doubt one of the biggest talents on the European stage, and on Saturday night, Popov put pressure on the biggest star of them all.

A great fight
Viktor Axelsen won the opening game 21-13, before Christo Popov won the second game 22-20. The tank was empty for Christo Popov in the decider, which Axelsen won 21-8.

- First of all, I want to say that I have huge respect for Christo. He is a tough guy although he is young, and I am sure, he will have great future ahead of him, if he can keep going, Axelsen said.

- For me it was not the best game I played. I did not feel that well on court, but I managed to win, and that is the most important thing, Axelsen added.

3-0 lead
Denmark made it 2-0 on the scoreboard, when Anders Antonsen beat Arnaud Merkle in straight games, 21-11 21-7, before Mads Kolding and Frederik Søgaard secured the win for the hosts.

Kolding and Søgaard won a thrilling match against French youngsters Fabien Delrue and William Villeger. The Danes won in three games 19-21 21-14 21-15.

- Many things could have been better, but I am very proud of the way that we – and especially Fredrik – handled the conditions and circumstances on court today, Mads Kolding said.

Rasmus Gemke scored another point for the Danes beating European U17 men’s singles champion, Alex Lanier 21-15 16-21 22-20, before Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen won the men’s doubles against Toma Junior Popov and Christo Popov 21-15 22-20.

Denmark vs. France 5-0

Viktor Axelsen – Christo Popov 21-13 20-22 21-8

Anders Antonsen – Arnaud Merkle 21-11 21-7

Mads Kolding/Frederik Søgaard – Fabien Delrue/William Villeger 19-21 21-14 21-15

Rasmus Gemke – Alex Lanier 21-15 16-21 22-20

Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen – Toma Junior Popov/Christo Popov 21-15 22-20

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