Today Yonex Denmark Open presented by Danisa begun. The first thing on the schedule was the qualification, where the Danes secured seven spots in the main tournament.
Even though the main tournament didn't start before 7 pm, Idraetshallen i Odense was filled with the echoing sounds of rackets hitting shuttlecocks and feet moving quickly across the green courts from 9 am this morning.
For the Danish badminton players the qualification was quite the succes, as seven spots in tomorrows tournament was clinched in four out of five categories. Mixed Doubles was the only category, where no danes proceeded to the main tournament.
From the get go the intensity in the arena was at a high level resulting in close and exciting matches all through the day. In total 15 matches were settled in three games, and some players even played four matches on the day, as they took part in more than one category to expand their chances of getting to the fun part.
Tired Danes ready for third seeded Chinese couple
One of the persons who truly felt the wear and tear of the first day was Soren Gravholt, who advanced to the main tournament in Men's Doubles with his partner Nikolaj Overgaard. He also participated in the Mixed Doubles and ended up playing four matches on the day. Three of them ended with three games.
"I am so tired. Now I just want to go get some physical therapy and then I'm heading directly for bed," said Soren Gravholt.
Despite their exhaution Soren Gravholt and Nikolaj Overgaard are ready to play the strong Chinese couple Fu Haifeng and Zhang Nan, and they know exactly what their tactic will be.
"We're just going to beat them. Plain and simple," Soren Gravholt said with a laugh.
Upset in the qualification
Before the main tournament even had begun, Yonex Denmark Open presented by Danisa had its first upset, when Kenichi Tago lost in the first round of the qualification. His superior was the young Dane Kim Bruun, who was very satisfied with his result against the former world no. 3.
Despite beating Kenichi Tago in three games, Kim Bruun didn't have enough juice left in him to reach the main tournament, as he lost to his fellow Dane Rasmus Fladberg in the second round of the qualification.
Read more about Kenichi Tago's loss
HERE