Viren defeats World No.2 Anders in exhibition game

Viren and Anders  in action

By Susil Premalal  

Sri Lanka’s top-ranked Men’s Singles shuttler Viren Nettasinghe recorded a straight sets win against the World No.2 ranked Anders Antonsen of Denmark in an exhibition badminton match played at the Mercantile Badminton Association (MBA) Courts in Colombo yesterday.  

Coming into the friendly game with a trivial pressure to face the three-time World Championships medallist, Viren began his run with composure, as Anders approached quite warmly, allowing the Sri Lankan rising star to record the first point of the game.  

While the game fluctuated evenly, both players showed great skills in the set that was eventually snatched by Viren 21-18, despite it moving pretty evenly until the latter part.  

The second set proved to be evenly poised again, even though Anders made a few tactical and technically perfect moves to test Sri Lanka’s youngest shuttler to earn direct qualification to an Olympic.  

The Danish, who clearly had to battle with the unfamiliar and scorching heat, even utilised short phases during the second set to make prank moves, with certain intention of providing entertainment to the large number of spectators who came in to witness a high-profile game.  

Eventually, Viren played an improved and impressive game pattern, mainly using cross smashes to earn quick points and seal the game with a 21-14 win in the second set.  

“Unfortunately I played against a solid young guy. Sri Lanka has a solid talent for the future. For sure, I enjoyed the match. I will definitely get my revenge someday soon,” joked Anders after the game.  

Anders, who is on a brief break in-between his busy competition schedule, has been in Sri Lanka for a few days, as he told reporters.  

“Thank you for welcoming me here in Sri Lanka. Just enjoying the country, the lovely beaches and the friendly people,” the 28-year-old European Championship medallist said.  

Viren, who otherwise played an improved game, was thrilled to play inside a local court in front of his own supporters, against a top ranked international shuttler with many medals under his belt.  

“It’s a great experience playing against the World No.2 ranked, definitely a dream come true. I should thank Sri Lanka Badminton and Ceylon Masters Badminton for providing me this opportunity,” stated 21-year-old Viren after the game.