DENMARK’s Peter-Gade Christensen bade farewell to the Malaysia Open with a second round defeat yesterday. But it was another Dane who provided the highlight of the tournament at the Putra Stadium.
The less-famous Jan O. Jorgensen produced the biggest victory of his career when he dumped four-time world champion Lin Dan of China out with a 14-21, 21-15, 21-15 win in 58 minutes.
It was the 24-year-old Dane’s second major scalp of the tournament, having taken out another Chinese star Du Pengyu after saving eight match points in the men’s singles opening round.
Today, the world No. 16 Jorgensen will be out to complete his hat-trick over China players when he takes on Chen Jin in the quarter-finals.
Major scalp: Denmark’s Jan O. Jorgensen making a drop shot during the second round match against Lin Dan of China yesterday. Jorgensen won 14-21, 21-15, 21-15.
“Lin Dan is the best player ever and to beat him is amazing. I am quite shocked and emotional right now – especially after what I have gone through last year,” said Jorgensen.
His mother passed away before the World Championships in August, and he was forced to withdraw from the world meet after getting injured.
And in October, he had to withdraw from the Denmark Open due to an inflammation of the heart valves.
“My mother died and then I got injured. After that, it was my heart problem. My heart was beating twice as fast but fortunately, I was able to carry on with my game after some tests. Now, to look back at all this is amazing,” he said.
When asked about his heart now, Jorgensen quipped: “It is still beating .... It was once a serious problem. Now, I have to go through constant tests. I will continue to monitor it.”
“For now, I can look forward to going to the Olympic Games in London. I was not even in the top 16 before Christmas. I reached the quarter-finals in Korea Open last week and now comes this good performances in the Malaysia Open.”
Jorgensen, who had lost to Lin Dan at last week’s Korea Open, admitted that the reigning world and Olympic champion was not at his best yesterday.
“He was not in good form. Lin Dan is tired and so are the other top players like Peter and Lee Chong Wei.
“I did not have many tournaments like them because of my problems last year. I am fresher and hungry for success because I want to collect more Olympic qualification points.
“I also came with a different game plan today and made more sharp shots at the net to win.”
On his match against Chen Jin, Jorgensen said: “I beat him at the Korea Open last week and will be out to enjoy another good game.”
And what did Lin Dan has to say about his defeat? Nothing. He just walked out in a hurry from the stadium.
The 35-year-old Christensen was happy that Jorgensen is ready to carry on Denmark’s challenge in the men’s singles after the former’s 18-year journey in Malaysia came to end with a 21-19, 11-21, 16-21 defeat to Kenichi Tago of Japan yesterday.
Christensen, who will quit the game to become a coach after the London Olympics, said: “I wanted to do well in my last Malaysia Open but I was struggling to get my game and rhythm going today.
“This defeat however, will not take away all the great memories I have here.”
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