WORLDS 2010 – Fischer Nielsen back with a bang

While most knowledgeable eyes were fixed on Peter Gade as he made his World Championship entry in emphatic style, many nervous Danes were keenly awaiting the return of Joachim Fischer Nielsen to the world stage after a lengthy layoff due to injury.

By Mark Phelan (Live in Paris) Photos: Badmintonphoto.com (Live)

Fischer Nielsen and his partner Christinna Pedersen were handed a tough task in the opening round of the mixed doubles at this year’s World Championships. The Danish pair were pitted against Russians Sorokina and Nikolaenko and had to battle hard to squeeze out a 2-set victory.

The first set could not have gone much better for the returning Danes as they headed their Russian opponents from start to finish and after a 21-15 victory they indeed looked in full control. The second set proved to be a much tighter battle as the Russians found their rhythm. The Russians led 13-9 at one point and many around the stadium were starting to settle in for a 3 set battle but the reigning Denmark Open Champions were up for the challenge and fought to give themselves 3 match points at 20-17. The Danes allowed Sorokina and Nikolaenko back into the match as they failed to convert the first 2 match points but at 20-19 the Russians were unable to maintain their run and Fischer and Pedersen closed out the match to advance the Danish pair to round 2.

“It feels good to be back at this level but I do realise I am not near my full match fitness yet,” commented Fischer Nielsen.

“It’s  great to be back on court with Joachim and while it was a frustrating time for me over the past year I would have waited forever until he was ready again as I am fully aware that together we make a great team,” said Pedersen about her partner’s return.

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