SWISS OPEN 2014 Finals – Europe denies Chinese clean sweep

Viktor Axelsen and the Adcocks prevented China from going back home with all the five titles at the Swiss Open. Axselen, still only 20 years old, had to dig deep to defeat Tian Houwei. Gabrielle and Chris Adcock comfortably overcame Chai Biao and Tang Jinhua.

By Elm Vandevorst.  Photos: Sven Heise (live)

With representatives in all 5 matches and two all-Chinese finals to be decided, China had a good chance to earn 5 out of 5 at the beginning of final’s day. The Asian powerhouse started the quest with the men’s doubles. Fourth seeds Chai Biao and Hong Wei (pictured left) were the favourites against compatriots Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan, with the two pairs being separated almost 100 places on the world ranking.

However that difference wasn’t visible on court in the first set. The latter clung to their much higher ranked opponents for most of the set, but had to accept defeat nonetheless 22-20. At 12-12 in the second set, five points in a row were enough for Biao and Wei to secure the victory 21-14.

Next up for China were Malaysia Open winners Bao Yixin and Tang Jinhua, up against Nitya Krishinda Maheswari and Greysia Polii.

The two pairs met at the Korea Open earlier this year, where the Chinese defeated their Indonesian rivals in three sets. The same scenario occurred at the Swiss Open as despite Yixin and Tang falling a set behind, they secured the second and third 19-21 21-16 21-13.

The third duel of the day was a certainty for the Chinese delegation, as Wang Yihan and Yu Sun had to decide who was the best in the women’s singles.

Surprisingly, Sun took the first game 23-21, and after losing the second, went 5-2 up in the deciding rubber. But Wang Yihan found her A-game and cruised to victory 21-11.

With three in the bag, it was up to Tian Houwei to continue the Chinese pursuit, but after rapidly falling a game behind to Dane Viktor Axelsen (pictured right), things didn’t look good at all for the former Asian Junior champion. Nonetheless, he was able to fight himself back into the game, winning the second set 21-16.

The decider took the form of one of the most exciting sets of the tournament, where there was little difference between the two shuttlers. Axelsen erased two match points, but required four of his own as he finally won 25-23.

Next up for Europe versus China were Chris and Gabrielle Adcock (pictured left) against Chai Biao / Tang Jinhua. Both the latter had already played and won their matches in Sunday’s finals. Now could they earn a second victory and title?

The rising English stars however had other plans. In the opening set there was little to choose between the pairs until the Adcocks broke clear from Chai and Tang at 14-all in the opening game, and took it on their first game point. In the second Gabrielle and Chris led all the way to clinch victory.

The full results from the 2014 Swiss Open Finals can be found here.