DENMARK OPEN 2013 R32 – Injury now in the past says World Champ

Women’s singles World Champion, Ratchanok Intanon (photo) of Thailand, made her first court appearance since her famous victory in August.  This afternoon in the first round of the Denmark Open, the Thai second seed finally returned from a foot injury she sustained en route to her world title.

Article and images by Mark Phelan (Live in Odense)

“I was very nervous going on court today after such a long time away from the game but at the same time it was great to finally get back on court after two months of injury,” said the 18-year-old World Champion.

The match itself against Michelle Chan Ky could not have gone any better for Intanon as she led from start to finish in a match that barely stretched to half an hour on court. The Kiwi was powerless against the World Champion, who romped home 21-9, 21-11 to put her injury woes firmly behind her.

“My footwork needs a lot of work as I feel very rusty but the large crowd from Thailand in the hall helped me through as I could hear them supporting me.”

World #4 Juliane Schenk (photo) took over one hour to see off the stiff challenge of world number 25 from China Han Li. The Chinese, in her first visit to Odense, took the opening game 21-17 but the German bounced back to win the second by the same margin.

The third game was a real battle of nerves but Schenk, who is mentally as capable as anyone, came through in the end 21-19 to advance to round two.

“This was really like a semi-final as Han Li is real quality.  It was a tough mental battle.”

Schenk had played Han Li in the recent China league and as it transpired, that match proved critical in the German’s victory today at the Denmark Open.

“I played her in China and I was able to draw on those feelings and experiences here today. The crowd also helped me along as I could feel them behind me, which was nice.”

Home town support takes Axelsen through

Viktor Axelsen (photo)  gave a mature display of badminton this evening in his home town of Odense to send European Champion and 2010 finalist Marc Zwiebler packing in the first round. Axelsen took the opening game with ease 21-13 before fighting back from two game points down in the second to win the match 22-20.

Axelsen will now meet world number 1 and tournament favourite Lee Chong Wei in round two and was coy about his chances: “Tomorrow I can play freely with no pressure against Chong Wei but with the crowd behind me who knows what may happen.”

For all results from Denmark click HERE