“This is one of the biggest wins of our career, together”
In a riveting three-game match, Mathias Thyrri and Amelie Magelund secured a monumental victory at the French Open 2023 by defeating the reigning World Champions, Seo Seung Jae and Chae Yu Jung. The encounter concluded with a score of 19-21 21-19 21-11.
Following their victory, the duo expressed their overwhelming satisfaction in a post-match interview. Magelund noted, “It was amazing to play. We played really well throughout the whole match. It was a bit close both in the first and second game, but we managed to handle our nerves in the third game and close it well”.
Thyrri added, “We were really good in the service situation, especially in our own serves. And we got to attack a lot of the game”.
For Thyrri and Magelund, this victory has been a long time coming. In recent months, they faced numerous top-ranked opponents but struggled to secure wins. Magelund acknowledged, “It’s definitely high [the confidence]. We know we have the level to compete against the highest pairs with some close results, but we haven’t gotten so many wins against them. That’s why today means so such to us”.
Thyrri concurred this feeling, “We played in Finland and then last week in Denmark. Some good matches against some world class players where we lost in straight games. So, this time was ours, and we kept believing in our game”.
Denmark on a high
The pair are not the only Danish shuttlers showcasing their excellence in the sport. Apart from renowned players like Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen, pairs such as Astrup/Rasmussen and Christiansen/Bøje have been impressing on the tour.
Magelund commented, “Right now, Denmark is doing well in the doubles categories. We have some good trainings back home”.
On day one, their colleagues in the men’s doubles category also advanced to the second round with a decisive 21-16 21-14 victory over Japan's Koga/Saito.
Overcoming the odds
Thyrri and Magelund's unexpected victory in Rennes means they'll be extending their hotel stay. When asked about their goals and their expectations regarding the French Open draw, they admitted to focusing solely on their current match.
“Only this match”, said Thyrri.
“Right now, we are going to celebrate this win. It’s a huge one for us against the World Champions so we get to celebrate, but we will be ready for Thursday” added Magelund.
The duo will face Indonesia’s Kusharjanto/ Kusumawati in the Round of 16 on Thursday.
For a detailed look at the other European results from Day 1, click
here.