VALORANT Masters Copenhagen: FunPlus Phoenix sweep DRX to reach Top 4

FunPlus Phoenix became one of the last four teams left standing at Masters Copenhagen after they swept South Korea's DRX in the lower bracket quarterfinals. Pictured: FunPlus Phoenix ardiis. (Photo: VALORANT Esports)
FunPlus Phoenix became one of the last four teams left standing at Masters Copenhagen after they swept South Korea's DRX in the lower bracket quarterfinals. Pictured: FunPlus Phoenix ardiis. (Photo: VALORANT Esports)

As the action continued on day nine of the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Stage 2 Masters tournament in Copenhagen, Denmark on Monday (18 July), two more teams have ended their run as the competition is now down to just four teams.

One of those final four squad included EMEA's FunPlus Phoenix (FPX), who went toe-to-toe once more with South Korea’s DRX in this tournament for a rematch.

Unlike their first match on day three, however, FPX were the ones who emerged victorious this time in a 2-0 sweep.

In case you missed it, here’s how FPX secured the final spot in the tournament’s final four:

FunPlus Phoenix 2 – 0 DRX

Game one: Ascent

The match started on FPX’s map pick Ascent, where they quickly converted the pistol and eco round, although not without resistance from the likes of Goo “Rb” Sang-Min.

That resistance helped swing the momentum in DRX’s way, the South Korean squad took the next three rounds off the backs of smooth 2ks from Rb, Kim “MaKo” Myeong-kwan, and Kim “stax” Gu-taek.

Fortunately for FPX, they were able to stop the bleeding by round 6, as Pontus “Zyppan” Eek would clutch a 1v2 as Initiator with just 17 HP left, allowing them to tie the score at 3-3.

However, DRX once again took the lead in the next round, with dual 2ks from stax and Kim “Zest” Gi-seok.

FPX responded by taking the next two rounds, with Dmitry “SUYGETSU” Ilyushin finally showing up with a 2k to shut down the opposing team.

Arriving late at the tournament due to visa issues, the Russian player was absent during FPX’s first battle with DRX.

Both teams traded a couple more rounds, ending the first half with another at 6-6.

DRX opened the second pistol round with a fantastic 3k from stax, before converting the second eco round as well to put them in the lead.

Unfortunately for the South Korean team, FPX would go on a six-round streak shortly after, with another amazing 1v2 clutch from SUYGETSU.

DRX managed to take one more round, but FPX ultimately closed game one at 13-9, winning their map pick.

Game two: Fracture

For game two, both teams took two Fracture, where FPX once again took the pistol and eco round.

Just like in Ascent, DRX would also take the next two rounds, with a 2k from Yu “BuZz” Byung-Chul helping the team get over their slump.

Unfortunately for them, that relief would be short-lived, as FPX went on a seven-round streak with 3ks and 2ks aplenty from the likes of Zyppan and SUYGETSU.

DRX won another round thanks to a 1v1 clutch from Rb, but the first half would still finish at 3-9, in favour of DRX.

Like Ascent, DRX would also open the second half by winning the pistol and eco round.

However, that would be their final push, as FPX would go on a final four-round streak to close the match at round 18 and win at 13-5.

With Monday's results, FPX moves into the tournament’s final four teams.

FPX will next face regional rivals Fnatic in the lower bracket semifinals on the third to the last day of Masters Copenhagen on Friday (22 July).

The winner of that match will then face the loser of the upper bracket finals showdown between OpTic Gaming and Paper Rex in the lower bracket finals on Saturday (23 July).

Meanwhile, DRX and Leviatán, who lost the other lower bracket quarterfinal match against Fnatic, both go home in 5th-6th place and with US$40,000 and 300 circuit points in consolation.

Masters Copenhagen will see 12 of the top VALORANT teams from all over the world clashing with each other from 10 to 24 July, all for the chance to reign victorious as the Copenhagen champions and claim a spot in VALORANT Champions 2022 in Istanbul come September.

For everything you need to know about Masters Copenhagen, check here.

Feb has been trying to speedrun Super Mario 64 ever since he started playing video games at 11 years old. He has never succeeded, but has completed other video games in the time since. When not playing, he's usually playing music or building Gunpla.

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