FINAL ORDER OF PLAY
China surprising package Huang Dongping/Zheng Yu continue spell in Odense, their reunion after some actions in 2018 (Uber Cup, Asian Games, GER Open) really steal the limelight in this S1000 event. This scratch combination create sensational feat to beat three established pairs en route to final, Stoeva sisters, the Olympic Champions Polii/Rahayu and powered past Thailand Kittitaharakul/Prajongjai in semifinal yesterday. It’s no big surprise at the end if the Chinese duo top podium today as they had defeated string of top pairs in German Open 2018 including Lee/Shin at first round before went down in finale to Fukushima/Hirota at that time.
Akane Yamaguchi extends winning record against her junior peer He Bingjiao despite the Japanese suffers a dip of form. An uptick development of the lefthander for determination and fighting spirit but always problem with accuracy. He had trailing behind scenario in both games, 8-14 & 7-14 but her unpredictable strong belief to bounce back brought Yamaguchi into dire situation. Overall, the Japanese has better focus, stayed calm at critical stages to execute well in decisive moment of opening and second set. Kirsty Gilmour stole one game from the superb retriever An Se Young, her accurate cross court smash really on point to outwit the Korean teen. Possibly it’s the battle of endurance in women's singles final, both players met last week in Uber Cup semifinal when former champion lost tamely to world #8.
Astrup/Rasmussen almost kicking their golden final ticket, they wasted healthy lead in second game, 13-5, 16-7 then replicated the wrong scene again in deciding game, 11-5 to end 21-18. Rasmussen stated on BWF news, they would be in deep regret if losing this one. Second S1000 final for the Danes after Victor China Open 2018 and they will challenge Japan energizers Hoki/Kobayashi who eliminated German combination Lamsfuss/Seidel, thanks to Hoki pro-active movement at front area that pressuring their tall rivals consistently.
Watanabe/Higashino present incredible feat to stun more fancied arch-rivals Wang YL/Huang DP, the Japanese duo were faster and setting quick interception frequently over the Olympic Champs who were slower, too many unnecessary mistakes than their usual form plus quite blunt offensive shot. Their final opponents will be familiar foes Puavaranukroh/Taerattanachai who subdue Jordan/Oktavianti narrowly in three game. An unexpected ending of this thriling clash arrived when the last two points coming from Indonesian elementary error, Jordan service mishits the net then followed by Oktavianti misjudgement of Thai player service.
The main dish of DEN Open 2021 last day is definitely a perfect MS final between world's top two players in current generation. These two poster boys have contrast fate and career trajectory since their last encounter, MAS Masters final 2020. Two-time World Champion got series of unfortunate events started from car accident then followed by eye socket fracture, positive COVID-19 prior to Asian Leg departure (January 2021) and latest one shocking exit at homeground Olympics. Meanwhile the Olympic Champion has evolved to strike career top notch, being All England Champion (March 2020), through into final in almost all individual tournaments that he took part including reaching the pinnacle of his achievement to clinch Olympic Gold medal in Tokyo. Perhaps, this is the best time for home favourite to beat his nemesis who’s not back to primary form yet. In semifinal, these top ranked players show different class to beat their underdog opponent, Axelsen neutralizes Lee Cheuk Yiu, keep eyeing deep forehand corner to score point as Lee has lethal attacking shots but not completed with adequate defence. Momota on his element, outmaneuvering Tommy Sugiarto to chase shuttlecock here and there combined with his quality constructed rallies with various shots that troubling the Indonesian veteran.