Antonsen steel for Vikings

who are Malaysia’s Group D rivals at the Thomas Cup Finals in Chengdu, China, from April 28-May 5, look imposing in the singles department.

While Malaysia are still weighing their options for the second singles due to uncertainty over Ng Tze Yong’s physical condition, Denmark can rely on Anders Antonsen for the role without hesitation.

The 26-year-old will head to Chengdu full of confidence after clinching his second European Championships title, defeating Toma Junior Popov of France 21-18, 21-13 in Saarbrucken, Germany.

This victory marks Antonsen’s third title of the year following his successes at the Malaysia Open and Indonesia Masters in January.

While the victory proved to be significant for Antonsen individually, the world No. 4 also showed that he could bring stability to Denmark.

With defending champion and world No. 1 Viktor Axelsen falling to a surprise defeat to Popov in Saturday’s semi-finals, Antonsen stepped up to help his country keep up the tradition of excelling in the event.

The Danes, who lifted the

Thomas Cup for the first time in 2016, becoming the first European side to achieve the feat, have filled up the other two men’s singles slots with world No. 28 Rasmus Gemke and No. 35 Magnus Johannesen.

Denmark’s doubles department also peaked at the right time, with world No. 4 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen leading three pairs into the semi-finals in Saarbrucken before emerging as champions for the third time in the championship.

Astrup-Rasmussen proved too hot to handle for their younger teammates Andreas Sondergaard-Jesper Toft, securing a convincing 21-11, 21-15 victory in the final.

Chengdu-bound second-ranked Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard were the other pair in the last four before being eliminated by Sondergaard-Toft.

However, Toft will not get to play alongside Sondergaard at the Thomas Cup Finals as the latter did not receive a call-up.

Singles: Viktor Axelsen, Anders Antonsen, Rasmus Gemke, Magnus Johannesen.

Doubles: Kim Astrup, Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, Rasmus Kjaer, Frederik Sogaard, Jesper Toft, Mathias Christiansen.