Anders Antonsen on Saturday launched a terrific comeback to secure his ticket for the final of the Korea Open, when he beat Chou Tien-Chen in the semi-final 22-24, 21-19, 21-10.
Anders Antonsen continued his great run of results early on Saturday when he played his way to the final of the Super 500 tournament Korea Open.
In the semi-final, he beat world number five, Chou Tien-Chen of Taiwan, 22-24, 21-19, 21-10.
Despite the loss of the first set, Antonsen fought back and won the next two sets fairly confidently. In the third set, there was absolutely no doubt about the outcome.
The match was characterized by a lot of wind in the arena, which made conditions tricky for the two players. The first set was just as close and dramatic as the numbers suggest.
For a long time, Antonsen looked in great control and led several times by three points. But Chou Tien-Chen settled into his usual stylish stride when he decided to move closer to the net and grabbed five successive points to make it 17-15.
The Taiwanese then squandered two set points at 20-18 but still managed to win the set 24-22 as he took advantage of his fourth set point to win 24-22.
The Dane also got off to a good start in the second set, where he went 3-0 up. Even though Chou Tien-Chen managed to restore parity at 4-4, Antonsen built the gap to 9-4, but Chou Tien-Chen clawed his way back to make it 14-15.
Antonsen then settled into a great rhythm and played his way to five set points at 20-15, and he needed them all. Only at 20-19 did Antonsen manage to force Chou Tien-Chen into an error that leveled the set.
In the third set, Antonsen was superb. From 2-2, he grabbed seven successive points, and at the change of sides, the Dane led 11-3. Antonsen continued to dominate proceedings and secured the victory on the first of ten possible match points.
In Sunday's final awaits the Indonesian Jonatan Christie, who in his semi-final beat compatriot Alwi Farhan 18-21, 21-14, 21-15.
It is Antonsen's first final since he won the Indonesia Open in June.