The excitement continues to build at the VICTOR Denmark Masters 2023 as the quarterfinals concluded with spectacular match-ups. With the semifinals on the horizon, the home crowd at the Royal Stage was treated to a thrilling day of matches.
Callum Hemming and Estelle Van Leeuwen emerged victorious over Mikkel Mikkelsen and Rikke Søby, the second-seeded Danish pair, in an amazing upset. Despite a dominant start by the European Championships medallists, the English duo mounted a remarkable comeback, clinching the win in a fiercely contested match, 12-21, 21-18, 23-21.
"It was very close in the end. It could have gone either way, there were many close line calls. Right now, we're just relieved and happy because we've done well to hang in when it got close,” Hemming said about the match. Van Leeuwen added, "We expected a strong fight from them. They were the expected winners. Their pressure was more on them, but we just went out to give it our all and not make it easy for them, and I think we did just that."
While some favourites faltered, the home crowd still has reason to cheer as several Danish athletes advanced to the semifinals. Jesper Toft and Clara Graversen delivered an impressive straight-game victory, 21-15 23-21, against Ming Che Lu and Hung En-Tzu from Chinese Taipei. Additionally, the mixed doubles pair of Mads Vestergaard and Christine Busch secured their spot in the semifinals by defeating India’s Sai Pratheek.K and Tanisha Crasto, 21-13, 21-10.
Rasmus Kjær and Frederik Søgaard advanced when their quarterfinal opponents, Czech Republic’s Ondřej Král/ Adam Mendrek, retired early in the match. French player Alex Lanier also withdrew from his match. Meanwhile, Mads Christophersen demonstrated his skill by triumphing over Jan Louda in straight games 21-19 21-18.
“I think it was a hard match because it was not easy to find the rhythm in there because Jan is also so good at making fast points. For me, it was very important to be consistent in my focus and I think I managed to do just that,” Christophersen stated.
Joining the Danish contenders in the semifinals are more European players who showcased their power on the court. Third seed Mark Caljouw, Netherlands, triumphed over Frenchman Arnaud Merkle in a hard-fought battle, 21-15 21-19. Meanwhile, Kristin Kuuba faced a formidable opponent in Julie Dawall Jakobsen, a home favourite. The Estonian player emerged victorious in a thrilling three-game encounter, 19-21, 21-14, 21-19.
You can catch all the semifinals live and relive the excitement on demand on badmintoneurope.tv. The semifinals will be starting at 04.00pm (CEST).