[UPDATED] World number one Axelsen secures first Malaysia Open title

KUALA LUMPUR – At long last, world number one Viktor Axelsen wins his first Malaysia Open tournament after dismantling second seed Kento Momota 21-4, 21-7.

The first set went by in a breeze as Momota did not put up a fight against the Dane. 

A battle of the greats it was not, as Axelsen closed out the match in just 33 minutes. 

Speaking to reporters after his win, Axelsen said he has been drained after back-to-back tournaments over the past few weeks. 

“I have played so many matches lately and I’m so tired, but somehow I found the energy to keep going. 

“Also playing in a stadium like this, you gain confidence with the crowd cheering the players,” he said. 

He addressed that perhaps the lack of fight from Momota was because the Japanese shuttler was not feeling 100%. 

“I was expecting a really tough match, he is a strong player. But maybe he (Momota) was not feeling too comfortable today. 

I am just surprised at my level and the match in general today.”

Making his Malaysia Open debut in 2012, Axelsen said the first win coming 10 years later feels amazing. 

“This is a result of all the hard work I have put in. I have a great team behind me, family and friends as well. 

“When I started I played with legends such as Lee Chong Wei, Taufik hidayat, and Lin Dan, which has given me a lot of experience and has helped me reach where I am now,” he added.

This is Axelsen’s third title within a month after winning both the Indonesia Open and Masters in June. 

He became the third Danish shuttler to win the Malaysia Open after Peter Gade and Erland Kops.

In the men’s doubles category, second seed Japanese duo Takuro Hoki-Yugo Kobayashi also won their first Malaysia Open title. 

They defeated world number seven Indonesian pair Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto 24-22, 16-21, 21-9 in an hour and five minutes. 

The last Japanese men’s doubles winners here were Takeshi Kamura-Keigo Sonoda in 2018. – The Vibes, July 3, 2022