KUALA LUMPUR – National badminton player Ng Tze Yong pulled off the biggest upset at the All England today after he defeated world number one and defending champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark at Utilita Arena in Birmingham.
Tze Yong won the round of 16 match 21-15, 9-21, 23-21 to book his spot in the quarterfinals today.
This match was expected to be a one-sided affair given Axelsen’s current form, but Tze Yong fought hard to beat the odds.
Coming into this match, Axelsen had won 47 out 49 matches and Tze Yong was making his debut at the All England.
The last time Tze Yong pulled a shocker was during the Commonwealth Games last year, also in Birmingham, when he defeated former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore.
Tze Yong won the first set convincingly; however, the 29-year-old Dane took the second set easily, winning 21-9 to take the match into the third set.
In the third set, the world number 28 led by four points at 19-15, only to be caught up to by Axelsen.
Despite the fightback from Axelsen, Tze Yong managed to keep his cool to win the match.
Applauding his victory, Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said on Twitter: “Malaysia has a giant killer tonight in Ng Tze Yong!! Well done for beating Axelsen. We are so so proud of you.”
Malaysia has a giant killer tonight in Ng Tze Yong!! ? Well done for beating Axelsen. We are so so so so proud of you.
— Hannah Yeoh (@hannahyeoh) March 16, 2023
Meanwhile, the last time the Dane lost to a Malaysian in was to national badminton ace Lee Zii Jia at the 2021 All England final. The score was 30-29, 20-22, 21-9.
Tze Yong will next play world number 14 Li Shi Feng of China, who beat compatriot Zhao Jun Peng 21-9, 21-17. – The Vibes, March 17, 2023
