Akane Yamaguchi and Victor Axelsen
– Photo: Social Media
Expansion
World number one shuttlers Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi had no problem en route to the finals of the India Open Super Series 750 badminton tournament. Axelsen, who lost only one game in the tournament so far, defeated Asian Games champion Jonathan Christie of Indonesia 21-6, 21-12 in just 38 minutes to enter the title clash. On the other hand, Yamaguchi defeated Thailand’s Katethang Supanida, who defeated PV Sindhu in the first round, 21-17, 21-16.
Kunlawat defeated Ginting
Axelsen will take on Thailand’s Kunlawat Witidsarn, who shone on the world badminton stage along with Lakshya Sen in the final. Kunlawat beat Anthony Sinsuka Ginting of Indonesia, who won bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, 27-25, 21-15. Kunlawat had defeated third seed and former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in the last 8. Yamaguchi will take on second seed Korea Ann Se Young in the final. In the other semi-final, Young defeated fourth seed He Bing Jiao of China 11-21, 21-16, 21-16 in a three-game struggle.
Axelsen is in tremendous form
Axelsen has been in tremendous form since last year. He won six titles, including the All England, to become world champion in 2022. He has also started this year by winning the title of Malaysia Open. He has become world champion twice. He won gold in Tokyo Olympics and bronze in Rio Olympics. Axelsen is also popular in India. He got proof of this in the form of overwhelming support at the KD Jadhav Indoor Stadium.
