Asuncions face tall order vs Danish duo

Local bets Kennevic and Kennie Asuncion should have been relieved with former world No. 1 Nathan Robertson and Gail Emms of England not returning to the 2nd MVP Cup, a unique event that pits the best of Asia against Europe’s finest.

Instead, the brother-sister tandem is still wary of their new foes — the Danish pair of Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter-Juhl — ranked ninth in the world and fourth in their continent.

At 183 centimeters (six-foot) tall, Rytter-Juhl, who partnered with Laybourn only three years ago, should make life difficult for the Filipinos with her power smashes and long reach.

Laybourn and Rytter-Juhl, in fact, have been playing superb badminton together winning the Dutch, Danish and European Championships and placing second in the Thai Open and All-England Championship making them the fastest rising stars in mixed doubles.

And the Asuncions, who lost to the duo in straight sets in the All England event two years ago, are taking notice.

"It’s going to be a tough game but we’ll try not to disappoint our countrymen," said Kennie, who is now ranked a career best 21st in the mixed doubles ranking following victories in New Zealand and Australia and a runner-up finish in the RP Open last May.

Mixed doubles would be played in the first of the three-game offering in the final day. — Joey Villar