TOYOTA Thailand Open: Vittinghus’ Dream Run Continues
A 35-year-old who was confirmed of his participation from the reserves list for the Asian Leg has scripted its unlikeliest story yet.
· DEV SUKUMAR
Hans-Kristian Solberg Vittinghus, who had spent 166 minutes on court before his semifinal at the TOYOTA Thailand Open today, showed the heart and legs of someone far younger, leaving Anders Antonsen, his junior by 12 years, looking jaded and weary. The rout was achieved in 45 minutes, 21-19 21-8, handing Vittinghus one of the biggest moments of his long career.
Antonsen had scraped through a bruising quarterfinal against Sameer Verma in a marathon two-hour battle, and the effect showed. After a promising start, the third seed looked stiff and ill-at-ease, taking extended breaks between points.
Vittinghus, on the other hand, looked sharp, staying in the rallies, seizing the minutest of openings, and retrieving shuttles that seemed impossibly out of reach. Once he’d clinched the opening game, Antonsen’s challenge fell apart.