Six European hopes entered the day with a chance to reach the semifinals. After a day filled with intense battles and several matches that could have gone either way, the final result is clear: two semifinal spots for Europe, both in men’s singles — Alex Lanier and home favorite Viktor Axelsen.

Mathias Christiansen / Alexandra Bøje

It also means a quarterfinal exit for Mathias Christiansen and Alexandra Bøje after a dramatic encounter with world number ones Jiang Zhen Bang and Wei Ya Xin from China. The two pairs followed each other closely until the very end, where the Chinese pair showed the composure and precision needed to close out such a tight match, winning 21–19 in the third game.
The Danish duo was visibly disappointed afterward. Mathias said, "It was really tipping our way at one point, so it is a hard way to lose."
Despite the loss, the pair remain positive about their current form. Mathias added, "The period we are in right now is clearly some of the best badminton we have played, no doubt about that."

Ben Lane / Sean Vendy

Winners of last week’s Arctic Open, Ben Lane and Sean Vendy, were never quite as close as the Danish mixed pair. As Sean Vendy himself said, “We didn’t find much form at all today really.” The match ended 21–8, 21–15. Still, the English duo can be satisfied with their overall performance over the past two weeks and will look to continue their good form next week in France.

Alex Lanier

Next in action was Alex Lanier, facing Lakshya Sen, who had earlier eliminated both Nhat Nguyen and Anders Antonsen. The young Frenchman, however, showed no trouble against the Indian today, taking a convincing 21–9, 21–14 victory.
Alex said, "I played extremely solid today. Physically and mentally I was quite sharp. I am really proud of the way I am playing."
He also feels very comfortable in Denmark, where he also reached the semifinals last year. "I feel extremely good, on court but also outside the court. When I come here to the hall everyone is saying hello, and it is kind of like I am at home."

Mia Blichfeldt

Yesterday, Mia Blichfeldt defeated Chen Yu Fei for the first time in seven years after a brilliant performance. Today, she faced another Chinese opponent, Han Yue, and once again went to a deciding game before a winner was found. This time, however, it did not go the Dane’s way, as she lost 21–17, 6–21, 16–21.
"I actually feel quite good, but she puts on a lot of pressure, and I don’t really feel that I can take control of the game, and it is really hard to get through with my attack," Blichfeldt said after the match.

Viktor Axelsen

Viktor Axelsen claimed a huge win in his comeback to the very top level. Facing former world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, the tall Dane wasn’t sure how his body would respond after yesterday’s long match. But today he proved he is moving in the right direction physically. He won 13–21, 21–12, 21–18 in a match lasting one hour and eleven minutes.
Even though he has two world titles and two Olympic gold medals, the emotional reaction said it all — Axelsen fell to his knees in tears as the final shuttle drifted out.
After the match, he said, "The last six or seven months have been very, very tough for all of us, especially also professionally. I have had a lot of doubts if I would get back to my normal level, so to be able to win a match like this, against one of the world’s best, it is hard to describe how much this means to me. It really, really gave me the belief that I can compete with the best."

Christo Popov

The day’s final match featured Christo Popov against Shi Yu Qi. The two also met at the World Championships, where the Chinese player — who went on to win the tournament — triumphed 21–18 in the third game. Today’s match turned out to be even closer, but once again with the same result. Shi Yu Qi won 21–19, 19–21, 21–19.
"I think we can say it is pretty equal until the last two points. He knew what to do to at least win one point, which is very crucial at these moments," Popov said afterward.
The young Frenchman leaves the Denmark Open with his head held high and now looks forward to playing on home soil next week at the French Open.

Tomorrow, the semifinals await. Alex Lanier will face Jonathan Christie, while Viktor Axelsen takes on Shi Yu Qi. The two matches will close out tomorrow’s schedule, with play beginning at 9 a.m.