Seventh seeded Kim Astrup/ Anders Skaarup Rasmussen had had a rather smooth start at the Thailand Open. The Danish duo won in straight games against Malaysia’s Tan Kian Meng/ Tan Wee Kiong, Korean Open champions, and Chinese Taipei’s Lu Ching Yao/ Yang Po Han, 2018 Asian Games bronze medallists.

Waiting for them at the quarterfinals today were no other than Mohammad Ahsan/ Hendra Setiawan. The top seeded Indonesian pair, whose first match against the Danes was in 2014, led the head-to-head 6-0. 

Starting off well but gradually picking up the pace to a quick rhythm, Astrup/ Rasmussen equalised the game 12-12 to then take the win of the first game 21-13. Despite the Indonesian pair leading at some points in the second game, the Danes did not ease down on their attack and got the victory 21-15.

This is the first win for Astrup/ Rasmussen against Mohammad Ahsan/ Hendra Setiawan, and this triumph has got them to the GR TOYOTA GAZOO RACING Thailand Open 2022 semifinals. Tomorrow, they will be facing third seeded Takuro Hoki/ Yugo Kobayashi, Japan. The pairs recently met in March at the German Open quarterfinals where the Danes, who will be the only Europeans in tomorrow’s semifinals, won.