Last year, Anders Antonsen featured in two World Tour finals. He matches that already in his first two outings of 2024.
The Dane kicked off the year with his first Super 1000 title in Malaysia and has continued this form into the DAIHATSU Indonesia Masters, not dropping a game on his route to the final.
Antonsen had his most dominant display yet in today’s semifinal with a 21-14, 21-8 win over Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
The crowd in Jakarta were already dreaming of the final, Antonsen against their star singles player, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting. However, Canada’s Brian Yang stood in his way.
Yang, after a strong three-game victory over second-seed Li Shi Feng, surpassed Priyanshu Rajawat, and then had a mid-match withdrawal from Lee Zii Jia in the quarterfinal. Yang fought back from a game down against Ginting to force a decider, but then found himself 15-19 down.
Miraculously, the 22-year-old from Toronto dug in and won the next six points to steal a place in the final from Indonesia’s Ginting and a stunned crowd.
Astrup/ Rasmussen into final
The Danish duo are building on their best ever year in 2023; World silver medal and four World Tour titles. They have begun the year strongly and are into another final.
Facing China’s Liu Yu Chen/ Ou Xuan Yi, Kim Astrup/ Anders Skaarup Rasmussen were in control, however, had to hold off a late surge from the Chinese, winning 21-14, 21-19, which was followed by a trademark dance from Rasmussen.
For the full results, click here.