COPENHAGEN MASTERS 2011 – Viktor still too tender?

Denmark’s new jewel Viktor Axelsen (photo) will have to let his two older compatriots fight for the Copenhagen Masters title as he bowed to Jan O Jorgensen (photo) in the last group match on Wednesday. Peter Gade, meanwhile, took three games to beat England’s Rajiv Ouseph. Denmark will have a shot at a clean sweep on Thursday evening for the finals of the invitational event with local shuttlers involved in all four finals.

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

Jan O Jorgensen is clearly back at his best level. Or close, anyway, as he showed on Wednesday evening that he was still the best second to Gade (even if Hans-Kristian Vittinghus is ahead of him in the world ranking),  after a clear win over Denmark’s best prospect for the future – Viktor Axelsen. In a great fight, in front of a hall packed full of happy spectators,  Jorgensen took it home in straight games.

“I played some good badminton and im happy that i was able to close it in two sets. The atmosphere at  Falkoner is awesome and I really look forward to playing Peter tomorrow,” said the Dane on his Facebook page only minutes after the game.

Axelsen  had beaten Thailand’s Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk 21-16, 21-8 earlier in the day and finishes second in the group, while Jorgensen tops the group and progresses to the final.

In the other group, Peter Gade had more trouble than expected against England’s Rajiv Ouseph, who has progressed impressively over the last few years. Now coached by Kenneth Jonassen – a good friend of Gade – Ouseph took a game from the great Dane, before letting it go 21-14, 12-21, 21-15. As expected, Gade goes on to play the final – this time against his compatriot for what should be an interesting match for the public at the Falkoner Center.

In the men’s doubles, the final will see Malaysia’s Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif / Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari take on the “hot” guys of the moment, locals Boe and Mogensen, who made light work of Indonesia’s scratch pair of Widianto/Kido. The mixed doubles final will not see an all-Danish affair either after Thailand’s Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thounthungkam edged out Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter-Juhl in the semi-final, 21-19 in the decider after a thrilling match. Last but not least, Tine Baun made sure there would be a Dane in the women’s singles event as she beat Thailand’s Portnip Buranaprasertsuk 21-16, 21-15. She will meet another Thai, Ratchanok Intanon, in the final on Thursday.

A “comet” award, for the most promising player of the year, was given to Mads Conrad Petersen (picture).

Results:

Men’s singles
Group A
Peter Gade (DEN) beat Eric Pang (NED) 21-11, 21-13
Rajiv Ouseph (ENG) beat Eric Pang (NED) 21-11, 18-21, 21-12
Peter Gade (DEN) beat Rajiv Ouseph (ENG) 21-14, 12-21, 21-15

Group B
Jan O Jorgensen (DEN) beat Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (THA) 21-6, 21-16
Viktor Axelsen (DEN) beat Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk (THA) 21-16, 21-8
Jan O Jorgensen (DEN) beat Viktor Axelsen (DEN) 21-17, 21-15

Women’s singles  semi-finals
Ratchanok Intanon (THA) beat Yao Jie (NED)  21-17, 21-15
Tine Baun (DEN) beat Porntip Buranaprasertsuk (THA) 21-16, 21-15

Mixed doubles semi-finals
Joachim Fischer-Nielsen/ Christinna Pedersen (DEN) beat Nova Widianto / Pia Bernadet (INA) 21-8, 21-13
Sudket Prapakamol / Saralee Thounthungkam (THA) beat Thomas Laybourn/ Kamilla Rytter-Juhl (DEN) 23-21, 17-21, 21-19

Men’s doubles semi-finals
Mathias Boe / Carsten Mogensen (DEN) (photo) beat Markis Kido / Nova Widianto (INA) 21-4, 21-17
Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif / Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari (MAS) beat Jonas Rasmussen / Mads Conrad-Pedersen (DEN) 21-15, 18-21, 21-19

Finals line-up

Peter Gade vs Jan O Jorgensen
Tine Baun vs Ratchanok Intanon
Joachim Fischer-Nielsen/ Christinna Pedersen vs Sudket Prapakamol / Saralee Thounthongkam
Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif / Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari vs Mathias Boe / Carsten Mogensen

The official website HERE

The live results HERE