Thursday, 26 Dec 2024

News | BWF World Tour

Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra BØje experienced a remarkable transformation in their badminton career. After a two-year title drought, they emerged victorious at the Spain Masters in April, and now, they have clinched another title at the Singapore Open 2023.

As underdogs in the final, the Danish mixed pair, ranked 13th in the world, unsettled the second seeds, Yuta Watanabe and Arisa Higashino, with their high tempo. The Japanese duo succumbed to pressure, losing the opening game 21-14 in just 15 minutes. Christiansen and BØje continued their impressive performance, winning the second game 22-20 and forcing a decider. The rubber game remained intense until 15-all, when Christiansen and BØje broke away to secure a 21-16 victory.

This triumph marked their first Super 750 crown, leaving Christiansen overwhelmed with emotion. He dropped to his knees in delirium before embracing his partner, tears of joy streaming down their faces. In an interview, Christiansen expressed his disbelief at their success, acknowledging the tough competition they faced in the tournament. He attributed their achievements to their strong performance in the Thailand Open semifinals and hoped to carry the momentum into the upcoming Indonesia Open.

The road to victory was not easy for Christiansen and BØje, who had previously lost seven out of eight meetings against Watanabe and Higashino. Determined to get their tactics right, the Danish pair focused on quick and effective transitions to the front court. Their aggressive play at the net paid off, leading them to victory.

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Reflecting on their journey, Christiansen mentioned the challenges they faced earlier in the season, with three first-round exits in the first four tournaments. He emphasized the competitiveness of mixed doubles and the need to be at their best to win against top pairs. Whenever they faced defeat, they returned home, practiced harder, and remained determined to seize their moment.

This win also exorcised the ghosts of their loss to Watanabe and Higashino in the 2021 French Open, which was their only other Super 750 title match. Christiansen expressed his satisfaction with defeating the same duo in another 750 final, finally breaking their streak of defeats against them.

The success of Christiansen and BØje holds significant meaning for Danish badminton. They are the first-ever Danish mixed pair to win a Super 750 event, adding to their nation’s badminton legacy. Moreover, they brought an end to Denmark’s 13-year wait for Singapore Open champions in the mixed doubles category, with the last victory achieved by Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter Juhl in 2010.

Boje and Christiansen immortalising their moment.

The remarkable journey of Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra BØje serves as an inspiration to aspiring badminton players worldwide. Their unwavering determination, resilience, and ability to bounce back from setbacks provide valuable lessons on the path to success.