Sports & Fitness

M’sia Open: injured Daren concedes walkover to Axelsen

National pro shuttler yet to recover from right-calf niggle, forcing second-round withdrawal

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 12 Jan 2023 3:20PM

M’sia Open: injured Daren concedes walkover to Axelsen — National professional singles player Liew Daren during his 2023 Malaysia Open first-round match against France’s Toma Junior Popov at Axiata Arena on Tuesday. Daren had struggled through the match due to a calf injury suffered last month. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, January 12, 2023

KUALA LUMPUR – National professional singles player Liew Daren has withdrawn from the second round of the 2023 Malaysia Open today due to an injury to his right calf.

The pull-out saw defending champion and world number one Viktor Axelsen of Denmark receiving a walkover to advance to the quarter-finals tomorrow.

Axelsen, who received an extra day of rest, will next meet Kenta Nishimoto of Japan, who eliminated fifth-seed Jonatan Christie of Indonesia 21-15, 21-17 today.

Daren, 35, on Tuesday had indicated withdrawing from the tournament if the injury he sustained a month ago did not recover before today.

The 2018 World Championships bronze medallist opened his campaign with a 21-15, 14-21, 21-17 win over Toma Junior Popov of France while Axelsen subdued compatriot Rasmus Gemke 17-21, 21-14, 21-12 on Tuesday. – Bernama, January 12, 2023