Magnus Johannesen is back smiling.

The Dane walked off the HYLO Open 2025 court on Saturday with a quiet smile, his heart pounding not from exhaustion but from joy.

The 21-13 21-13 result over Finland’s Kalle Koljonen meant much more than just a win – it was the doorway to his first Super 500 final, and the end of a long wait since his last title match at the Orleans Masters two years ago.

“I feel really good to be in the final,” he said afterward. “It’s really big, I’ve never been to a 500 final. So it gives a boost but also I can play freely because the opponent is the favourite.”

That opponent is world No.5 Jonatan Christie, who battled past Alex Lanier 18-21 21-19 21-9. Johannesen has never faced the Indonesian but now standing on the brink of his biggest career milestone, he remains unfazed by the challenge ahead.

“I will be 100 per cent ready again,” he promised with quiet determination. “I will just try to keep playing as good as I have all tournament and make it hard for him.”

Johannesen is only the third Danish men’s singles shuttler to contest a World Tour final this season, following in the footsteps of his more accomplished countrymen Anders Antonsen and Viktor Axelsen.

OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

• Margot Lambert and Camille Pognante continued their remarkable run, beating third seeds Chang Ching Hui/Yang Ching Tun 21-19 21-16 a day after making history for France.
• Sabar Karywaman Gutama/Moh Reza Isfahani Pahlevi are eyeing their first title of the season after beating another Malaysian pair, Man Wei Chong/Tee Kai Wun, 21-16 21-15.
• Mia Blichfeldt defeated compatriot Line Christophersen 21-18 7-21 21-19 to take her title defence into the last day of the competition.

→ Results (Semifinals)

→ Order of play (Finals)