Antonsen – New Kid on the Block
There was an otherworldly calm in Anders Antonsen’s demeanour shortly after he’d won the biggest match of his life.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Having exploded in exuberance after beating world champion Kento Momota in the men’s singles final of the DAIHATSU Indonesia Masters last Sunday, Antonsen became clinically detached while discussing the victory. It was almost as if, once he was through with the initial celebrations, he had set the emotion aside to deal with it intellectually. It is a curious trait, perhaps one that signals his ability to shift his intense focus at will, in much the same way he dealt with his changing fortunes against a clever opponent in the final.
“It’s easier said than done, but I was trying to keep calm and trying to stay inside my own head, and control my thoughts and trying to think about every breath I take, and trying to use the audience’s energy but not too much, still trying to stay calm and think of every step,” said Antonsen, about how he had dealt with the enormity of the mental challenge during the 21-16 14-21 21-16 victory over Momota.
To appreciate the quality of Antonsen’s victory, it is important to consider the kind of form Momota was in, going into the final. The world champion had overwhelmed two tough opponents – Anthony Ginting and Viktor Axelsen – in the quarterfinals and semifinals, and few would have anticipated anything but a routine Momota conquest.