After a dream run to the final, the sisters from Bulgaria fell short by a whisker in a memorable titanic duel.
While the German Open 2022 draw featured all the biggest names after a long time, there were numerous unprecedented upsets. Alternatively, the undaunted young stars stepped it up to beat the best in the world.
While Kento Momota, Tai Tzu Ying, and Akane Yamaguchi were early casualties, a frustrated Viktor Axelsen was outplayed by a rock-solid Lakshya Sen in the semifinals. Kim Astrup/ Anders Skaarup Rasmussen and Gabriela Stoeva/ Stefani Stoeva shone for Europe, amidst the chaos.
The Stoevas’ spectacle
The sisters delivered one of their greatest performances ever, as they took on the world number one and the reigning World Champions Chen Qing Chen/ Jia Yi Fan. The European Champions had earlier defeated Kim Soyeong/ Kong Heeyong in the quarterfinals for the first time in four meetings, thereby also avenging their close loss in Tokyo.
While the Chinese emphatically pocketed the opener 21-16, the second game went down the wire. With neither pair giving an inch, the score was 29-29. The Stoevas defended magically on the match point to force the decider. Both pairs were visibly exhausted but fought all the way. The Tokyo silver medallists managed to close down the 13-7 deficit to draw level at 18-18. Despite their best efforts, the Stoevas were dismayed. They lost 21-19, having stood on the court for 107 minutes. Nevertheless, it was a monumental achievement all the same.
First-ever title and sixth consecutive title
Goh Sze Fei/ Nur Izzuddin put on a flawless display to bag their first-ever title on the big stage. The Malaysians beat the highest-ranked Europeans Astrup/ Rasmussen in the semifinals. The Danes had gotten better of the favourites Takuro Hoki/ Yugo Kobayashi in the previous round. They had won the nail-biter 26-24, 19-21, 23-21. Sze Fei/ Izzuddin ousted the new Chinese pair Liu Yuchen/ Ou Xuan Yi in the final: 23-21, 16-21, 21-14.
In the mixed doubles, Dechapol Puavaranukroh/ Sapsiree Taerattanachai were just clinical. The Thai world number one pair had little trouble against another new Chinese pair. They were just too good for Ou Xuan Yi/ Huang Ya Qiong. They dismantled their opponents 21-11, 21-9 for a sixth consecutive title, picking up where they left off last year.
A stunning singles display
Kunlavut Vitidsarn and He Bing Jiao had a dream run, as they humbled illustrious opponents one after another for the title. While the three-time World Junior Champion had triumphed over Jonatan Christie and Lee Zii Jia, his final opponent Sen beat Anthony Sinisuka Ginting and the Olympic Champion, Viktor Axelsen. The Indian, however, could not channel his highest level, thereby, handing Vitidsarn an easier win. The Thai won 21-18, 21-15.
Recently, He has been overshadowed by her compatriot Chen Yu Fei. While the Olympic Champion had a gruelling semifinal against Zhang Yiman, He had it easy against a lacklustre An Seyoung. Importantly, the Chinese number two had also finally beaten her arch-nemesis, Akane Yamaguchi, after four years.
Coming into the final, He played a tactical game and closed down the net. She played slices and created incredible sharp angles from the back to keep Chen on her heels. The world number nine also energetically dived to return her opponent’s slices. She was rewarded with the first game, but Chen got going to lead 19-15 in the second. With everyone perhaps expecting an imminent decider, He did not let up at any moment. She eventually won 27-25 in straight games, avenging her semifinal loss in Tokyo.