With the quarterfinals and semifinals now over, there is still the big finals day ahead — and despite the long days behind, the players are ready to fight for the title.
Getting through intense quarterfinals with tough opposition can be challenging, but having to deal with quarterfinals and semifinals is even more so. Still, those competing at the VICTOR Denmark Masters 2023 are ready to give it their all to get the title.
“We’re not done yet, and I will prepare for the final,” Caljouw said after his match in the semifinals. The Dutch athlete had just played through an hour and 17 minutes against Chinese Taipei’s Wang Po-Wei in a match that was one of the highlights of the day.
“It is quite tough. It’s been a while since I played two matches a day. It takes a lot of energy to prepare yourself physically but also mentally to play two matches. Resting and recovery are super important,” Caljouw added.
Meanwhile, Rasmus Kjær and Frederik Søgaard only started in the Round of 16, hungry for victories on home soil. With Král and Mendrek withdrawing just two minutes into the match, the third seeds went into their semifinal match against Zhi-Wei He and Huang Jui-Hsuan, Chinese Taipei, with plenty of energy and motivation, winning in straight games, 21-17 21-11.
“It is nice to get more time in-between the matches. We feel ready — our bodies, our heads, are ready for these challenges. Hopefully, it will be the same tomorrow,” Søgaard said. “We like to play at home with our family here. It is a special feeling. We are happy that we can show this level and that we can play the final tomorrow,” Søgaard said.
Estonia’s Kristin Kuuba also headed into her match with power, despite the difficult match that she had just fought through in the quarterfinals earlier today. “I have played this opponent twice and both times I lost so I’m happy that I won today, and in two games. This time, I was able to follow the tactics super well. That was the key of the match,” explained Kuuba after her win against Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yu-Hsun, 21-14 21-10.
With all the players ready for one last show at the Royal Stage, it will soon be time for the finals at the VICTOR Denmark Masters 2023. The finals are starting at 10.00am (CEST) and you can
watch them on badmintoneurope.tv.