Gemke stuns World no. 1 Vitidsarn in sensational Denmark Open upset

Rasmus Gemke sent the home crowd into celebration on the opening day of the Denmark Open, producing a stunning comeback to defeat world number one Kunlavut Vitidsarn 13-21, 21-17, 21-12 in the first round.

The Danish shuttler, ranked 27th in the world, delivered an impressive performance on Tuesday to eliminate the top-seeded Thai player in front of the home supporters in Odense.

The victory marked the fourth time in his career that Gemke had defeated Vitidsarn, with their previous meeting ending in the Dane’s favour at the China Open in July.

Gemke remained competitive during the opening game, keeping pace with his opponent until the interval. However, Vitidsarn raised his intensity afterwards, placing his shots accurately and taking control of the rallies. The Thai star eventually claimed the first game at his first opportunity, winning 21-13.

The second game initially appeared to be heading in the same direction. Gemke continued to fight, but Vitidsarn’s quality put him under pressure, leaving the Dane trailing 8-11 at one stage.

However, Gemke responded brilliantly, improving his shot timing and taking advantage of a series of unforced errors from his opponent. With the home crowd firmly behind him, the Dane gradually shifted the momentum in his favour.

He completed the comeback in the second game by smashing the shuttlecock down the sideline on his first game point, securing a 21-17 victory and forcing a deciding game.

With the match on the line, Gemke produced a dominant display in the third game. The Danish star won 13 of 14 consecutive points, transforming a closely contested 5-5 scoreline into a commanding 17-6 advantage.

Vitidsarn struggled to find a response as Gemke continued to dictate the rallies and capitalise on his opportunities. The Dane maintained his composure until the finish, sealing a memorable 13-21, 21-17, 21-12 triumph.

The victory represents a significant statement from Rasmus Gemke at his home tournament, while world number one Kunlavut Vitidsarn exits the Denmark Open earlier than expected.