Sankar Muthusamy Stuns World No. 2 Anders Antonsen at Swiss Open
Basel,Switzerland – In a stunning upset,Indian badminton player Sankar Muthusamy defeated world No. 2 Anders Antonsen of Denmark in the pre-quarterfinals of the Swiss Open. The 21-year-old emerged victorious with a score of 18-21, 21-12, 21-5.
Decisive Victory in Basel
Muthusamy’s dominant performance in the final game surprised many. After losing the first game, he rallied to win the next two, capitalizing on a series of unforced errors by Antonsen. The match, held late Thursday in Basel, saw Muthusamy, ranked 64th, advance in the tournament after entering as a qualifier.
Muthusamy’s resilience and Strategy
“It feels good,and I have been doing well in this tournament,” Muthusamy said. He noted that the first game, which lasted nearly 30 minutes, seemed to tire out Antonsen. Muthusamy focused on long rallies and capitalized on the opportunities presented. “I was focusing on one point at a time and did not think much about the result,” he added.
In the deciding game, Muthusamy anticipated a comeback from Antonsen and focused on moving his opponent around the court to induce fatigue. This strategy proved highly effective, leading to his decisive victory.
Journey to Success
Muthusamy, a former junior world No. 1, had experienced inconsistency earlier in the season. However, he started the 2025 season strongly, reaching the quarterfinals of the Thailand masters. After recovering from a fever that impacted his performance in subsequent tournaments, he arrived at the Swiss Open in strong form.
Evolving Gameplay
Known for his defensive style, Muthusamy has been actively improving his attacking skills and stroke-making. “My strokes have become sharper than usual, and I am able to finish off points from the rear court,” he said. “My power is gradually increasing, and I am working on it.there is still a long way to go.”
Coach’s Viewpoint
Aravindan Samiappan, Muthusamy’s coach, believes this win is timely. “Sankar was an underdog and had nothing to lose. Our plan was to stay neck-to-neck on points, and towards the end, anything could have happened,” Samiappan said. He noted the unexpected scoreline in the final game, attributing it to Muthusamy’s unpredictable playstyle.
Samiappan highlighted Muthusamy’s enhanced ability to vary the pace of his game, making him a less predictable opponent.”Now, you cannot predict him, and that is the major difference in his gameplay,” the coach stated.
* **Q: What specific tactical adjustments did Sankar muthusamy make in the second and third games to overcome Anders Antonsen’s initial lead?**
Sankar Muthusamy Stuns World No. 2 Anders Antonsen at swiss Open: Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions Answered
Q: Who is Sankar Muthusamy?
A: Sankar Muthusamy is a 21-year-old Indian badminton player who recently achieved a critically important upset by defeating world No. 2 Anders Antonsen at the Swiss Open. He was formerly a junior world No. 1.
Q: What was the score of the match?
A: Muthusamy won the match with a score of 18-21, 21-12, 21-5.
Q: How did Muthusamy win?
A: After losing the first game, Muthusamy rallied and capitalized on Antonsen’s unforced errors, focusing on long rallies and moving his opponent around the court to induce fatigue. In the deciding game, his strategy was highly effective, leading to his decisive victory.
Q: what is Muthusamy’s current world ranking?
A: He is currently ranked 64th in the world.
Q: What has Muthusamy been working on to improve his game?
A: He has been actively improving his attacking skills and stroke-making, especially sharpening his strokes and increasing his power.
Q: What did Muthusamy’s coach say about the win?
A: His coach, Aravindan Samiappan, stated that the win was timely and attributed the unexpected score in the final game to Muthusamy’s unpredictable playstyle and enhanced ability to vary the pace of his game.
Q: What’s next for Muthusamy?
A: While the article doesn’t specify, reaching such a milestone in the Swiss Open shows strong potential. Keep an eye on his future matches to see the continued development of his gameplay, and if he can maintain his form.
Q: Trivia time: How many badminton courts fit on a basketball court?
A: You can fit four badminton courts on a standard basketball court!
Takeaway: Muthusamy’s victory is a testament to his resilience, strategic improvements, and the impact of a well-executed game plan.Watch out for this rising star in upcoming tournaments!
