COPENHAGEN MASTERS 2011 – Jan wins, controversy strikes

Jan O Jorgensen won the Copenhagen Masters last night, beating his compatriot Peter Gade in a three-game thriller which left a bitter taste to the Danish media after a controversial match point. Thailand’s Intanon took the women’s title.

By Raphael Sachetat. Photos: Yves Lacroix for Badmintonphoto (live)

The controversy spoiled the party. The headlines in the Danish media following Jan Jorgensen’s success in the Copenhagen Masters were all about that match point, when Peter Gade was leading 20-19 in the second game, and Jorgensen’s shuttle was shown out, again and again on the live video streaming of Denmark’s biggest sports channel. At that point, it should have been an eleventh title for Gade with a score line of 21-14, 21-19. Instead, it was a deuce and the match was to go on. Eventually, with Jorgensen taking the second game 25-23 after saving 5 match points. And then again, after a close fight in the decider, it was finally the young prince Jan who got the best of the Lion King Peter, in somehow, a tragic atmosphere in what seemed to feel like a handover of crown between the two best Danes of the moment. Jorgensen fought well, with talent and energy while Gade couldn’t close up the match in the third game, losing 20-22.

“I should have won the match in 2 games but unfortunately I didn’t.  We had a very tough match after that point.  I can be frustrated after that point that got stolen away from me, but on the other hand, it was a great match and that’s what we both wanted.  But it was a great evening, a great atmosphere and all credit goes to the crowd who made it a fantastic evening tonight,” said Gade.

For Jorgensen, this title will hopefully put an end to a bad year of 2011 and better things ahead for 2012.

“It’s been a very tough year, some personal things as well – a lot had gone against me and I hope that there are great things coming in 2012,” said Jorgensen to badminton Denmark TV.  Jorgensen began a little streakas he won last year in this event.

Tine: “She’ll be a great player”

Tine Baun could only admit that her opponent of the day, Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon, was the best on the day. The Dane, expected to win the battle against a player almost half her age, bowed in straight games 17-21, 15-21 to Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon. “I didn’t play my best game tonight, but she played very well. We’ll see more of her as she will definitely be a top player in the years to come,” hinted Tine on Badminton Denmark’s Youtube Channel.

Denmark had some things to cheer about in the doubles events, as both the men’s doubles and mixed went their way. Boe and Mogensen took it home in straight games 21-18, 21-9 against Malaysians Tazari/Abdul Latif while the mixed doubles Fischer Nielsen and Pedersen beat Thailand’s Prapakamol and Thoungthongkam 21-13, 21-17. The Danes were also rewarded with the player’s award of the year from the Danish Federation.

Results:

Jan O Jorgensen beat Peter Gade 14-21, 25-23, 22-20
Ratchanok Intanon beat Tine Baun 21-17, 21-15
Joachim Fischer-Nielsen / Christinna Pedersen beat Sudket Prapakamol / Saralee Thounthongkam 21-17, 21-13
Mathias Boe / Carsten Mogensen beat Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif / Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari 21-18, 21-9

The official website HERE

The live results HERE