Win one more match to close out the year and Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen will have three significant achievements to celebrate.

The first Danish men’s pair to win the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals.

The first Danish men’s pair to win a season finale in 12 years.

Then on Tuesday, the first Danish men’s pair in seven years to be world No.1s.

Astrup/Rasmussen have their eyes firmly on the ball, or rather, the shuttle.

“We are getting a lot of shuttles back, that’s one of our biggest strengths. And we are physically in good shape,” said Astrup of their solid defence after they saw off Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani 23-21 21-13 to book their date with destiny.

“It’s a huge relief to go all the way to the final (but) it’s extremely important we savour the occasion. Let’s see if we can take the title.”

The Danes will jump into battle confident – they had just beaten their challengers Goh Sze Fei/Nur Izzuddin earlier in the week during group play.

Goh/Izzuddin, who came back to win their 81-minute marathon semis 17-21 21-16 27-25 against Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto, are themselves looking to become the first end-of-season champions from Malaysia after fellow men’s pair Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong’s success in 2016.

“We’ve played a lot of tough matches against them,” said Rasmussen. “They are one of the world’s best pairs, but so are we. It’s going to be a good final no matter the outcome. We expect them to throw everything at us but we will be ready.”

Since Mathias Boe and Carsten Mogensen triumphed in 2012, Denmark have not seen a men’s doubles victory at a season-ender. Boe/Mogensen also hold the distinction of being the last from their country to top the world rankings, in September 2017.

Danish fans are in for a treat on finals day, with 2020 champion Anders Antonsen also one step from glory. The world No.2 defeated Jonatan Christie 21-6 15-21 21-13 and faces local darling Shi Yu Qi for the men’s singles crown.

→ Results

WHAT OTHERS SAID

“It’s better to try hard and lose than not do anything. We needed to be brave for the last crucial points.” – Izzuddin reflecting on the nerve-wracking conclusion to his match

“I didn’t play well in the opening game. I tried to push him in the second but Anders had his rhythm going. Two semifinals at the World Tour Finals is a good achievement, but it isn’t enough. I want more. I hope I can win in 2025.” – Christie

“I wasn’t satisfied with my speed but I was encouraged by Chou Tien Chen’s passion and will. We ended up giving the audience a good match.” – Shi Yu Qi after winning 21-14 21-18