Denmark Open: Upcoming Danes Upset Favourites
The DANISA Denmark Open 2020 saw its biggest upset so far when men’s doubles title favourites Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen were shown the door by younger compatriots Joel Eipe and Rasmus KjÆr.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Eipe and Kjaer went into the match without a trace of being intimidated at facing their more accomplished seniors, and despite never beating them in practice. Their fearlessness was apparent both in their domination at the net, and in asserting themselves in the rallies.
A second game win for the No.4 seeds appeared to have shifted the momentum their way, but to the credit of the younger pair, they never let up on their attacking game, walking away winners at 21-18 17-21 21-16.
“Always a bit strange to play players we train with every day,” said Kjaer. “But we know that there are certain parts of the game where they are very good, and where we won’t be able to beat them, Anders at the back and Kim controlling at the front. We tried to make some changes in the first shots in the serves and receiving to get them out of their comfort zone.