KUALA LUMPUR – World men’s singles ace Viktor Axelsen is only a step away to retain his title as the champion of the Malaysia Open at the finals tomorrow.
If he succeeds, he will also be crowned as the first champion for the Super 1000 event in the men’s singles category.
The top-ranked Denmark shuttler brought down his Japanese contender, Kanta Tsuneyama 21-7, 21-15 in the semifinals today at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil.
“I felt pretty comfortable, pretty quick. I came in with good speed, good legs, and a good feeling. I kept it throughout the whole match.
“Kanta stepped up in the second game, and I may have moved back a little too much, but I found my rhythm again, and I am really happy and satisfied with how I played.
“I am expecting a tough match (against Kodai Naraoka tomorrow). The last time I played against him, it was really close, and I am preparing for another tough one tomorrow,” he told the media after the match.
The World Tour Finals champion will meet Tsuneyama’s counterpart Kodai Naraoka after the latter spent an hour and 53 minutes to beat opponent Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, 17-21, 21-19, 17-21.
Meanwhile, second-seed women’s singles shuttler, An Se-young of South Korea defeated fourth-seed Chen Yu Fei of China, 21-12, 19-21, 21-9.
She will face first seed Akane Yamaguchi of Japan who overcame third seed Tai Tzu Ying of Taiwan, 21-18, 21-16. – The Vibes, January 14, 2023
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