Denmark Open: Koga/Saito Trip World Champs

Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue’s post-World Championships dip continued at VICTOR Denmark Open 2026 with a second consecutive early exit.

Akira Koga/Natsu Saito proved their conquerors in Odense, winning their first meeting 22-20 21-19. The world No.18s remarkably saved six game points in the opener before finishing strongly again in the second, never relinquishing the lead after moving ahead at 16-15.

The Japanese now advance to the quarterfinals – their second at Super 750 level – against Malaysians Hoo Pang Ron/Lai Peijing, who ousted fifth seeds Dechapol Puavaranukroh/Supissara Paewsampran 21-7 21-11.

For Gicquel and Delrue, who in August became France’s first world champions, a chance for redemption comes quickly with their home tournament YONEX French Open 2026 starting in Tremblay-en-France next Tuesday. They had lost their first event (China Masters) after New Delhi 2026 in the opening round.

Anders Antonsen gained quick revenge on Jason Gunawan to reach the quarterfinals on home soil, needing just 38 minutes to secure a 21-10 21-12 victory.

The Dane, who was beaten by Gunawan in a semifinal thriller at the LI-NING China Masters six weeks ago, never allowed a repeat as he controlled the pace throughout.

“I’m super pleased,” he told Badminton Europe.

“The conditions were way different today compared to yesterday. I felt like there was a lot of air conditioning going on. It was very warm in the hall. There wasn’t a lot of drift back and forth. I am very pleased to get my revenge against Jason. We had a phenomenal match at the China Masters six weeks ago. Really happy to win.”

Antonsen’s reward is a quarterfinal meeting with Alwi Farhan, who produced one of the biggest results of the day by dispatching defending champion Jonatan Christie 21-14 21-9.