General

(Photo: BWF / Badmintonphoto)
"It could have gone either way"
Date: 1/9/2025 3:37 PM
Published by : Sara Gonzalez Martinez (BEC)
On top form after a straight games win in 46 minutes in the first round of the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2025, Anders Antonsen faced a challenging Round of 16 match against world number 11, Koki Watanabe.

Antonsen recognised the strengths of his opponent, noting, “Koki was playing super well today. He really gave me a difficult match, that’s for sure.” The first game was close, with Watanabe clinching it 23-21. However, Antonsen responded by winning the second game 21-18, taking it to a third game. “It could have gone either way,” Antonsen admitted.

The decider started evenly until Antonsen pulled ahead after 6-6, gradually extending his lead and finally closing the match 21-14 to advance to the quarterfinals. “I’m super proud to lose the first game like that and still be able to stay in it, stay calm, and find a way through,” he said.

Discussing his approach, Antonsen highlighted his mental game as crucial. “Staying calm, trying to keep the focus, even though it was hard. That was the key.” In the quarterfinals of this Super 1000 tournament, he will be facing against Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, seeded fifth and the reigning World Championships champion.

©badmintoneurope.com. All rights reserved.

Related news
07/02/2025
#EMTC25: Baku awaits
From 12 to 16 February, the Ba...

05/02/2025
Welcome Jonathan Søgaard: BEC’s new Senior Development & High Performance Officer
Badminton Europe welcomes Jona...

03/02/2025
Home wins and first titles
The PRINCESS SIRIVANNAVARI Tha...

31/01/2025
Nguyen prevails in marathon battle to reach semis
A test of endurance Ireland’s...

30/01/2025
Nhat Nguyen advances to the quarterfinals in Thailand
The Irish player has defeated ...

29/01/2025
Carraggi to meet Nguyen at Thailand Masters
The Super 300 tournament goes ...

More news