Winning in back-to-back weeks for the first time in their partnership was a cause for celebration but YONEX Canada Open 2023 champions Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen were also eager to rejoice at the bigger picture.

Astrup/Rasmussen, European Games gold medallists in Poland just a week ago, overcame compatriots Rasmus Kjaer/Frederik Sogaard in three games – 23-25 21-16 21-12 – at the Markin MacPhail Centre for their maiden triumph on Canadian soil.

“This feels amazing but a big shoutout to our compatriots. It’s been a good week for Danish men’s doubles,” said Rasmussen.

“We saw a social post that it was in 2010 the last time an all-Danish final (Lars Paaske/Jonas Rasmussen versus Mathias Boe/Carsten Mogensen at All England) took place. Now we have a new pair on the scene. It marks a huge milestone and perhaps a new era for our men’s doubles.”

Kjaer, though disappointed, agreed.

“Once we get some time to reflect, we will have a positive outlook on this week. It’s always a bit special playing those guys. We train with them every day so sometimes it can get a bit weird because we know each other that well but it was a high-level match,” he said.

“I want the best for them except when they play us. I’d be lying if I said I was happy for them now. Even though we are rivals, we also depend on each other to reach the level we want so there’s respect and we wish each other the best, but this one hurts.

“At the end of the day, this has been a great week for Danish men’s doubles.”

On their consecutive titles, Rasmussen said: “We’ve been on a down so to come back and win in back-to-back weeks just shows what hard work and motivation can do. I’m so proud of us.”

Astrup added: “We won the European Games, travelled to another continent and pulled ourselves back up again. We were hungry and motivated all week. Amazing to stand on top two weeks in a row, first time in our careers.”

The win also ends the world No.12 tandem’s HSBC BWF World Tour title wait, with their last being the 2021 Swiss Open.

→ Results (Finals)

WHAT OTHERS SAID:

“I never lost hope in the second game when I was down. I never believed I was going to lose, I went all out in that game and that paid off.” – Men’s singles champion Lakshya Sen

“We learned new things here. The shuttle is light and fast in Canada due to Calgary’s high altitude (1,048m above sea level) and the air is thinner. We needed to make some adjustments and this will improve our overall game.” – Mayu Matsumoto

“Never been to Canada. Great memory to add Canada Open to my list of titles on my first visit here.” – Akane Yamaguchi