It was as close as it could be, when the World Champion won against 21 year old Viktor Axelsen in todays semi finals at Yonex Denmark Open presented by Danisa.
The young Dane Viktor Axelsen had momentum in almost the entire match, when he faced World NO. 1, Chen Long, from China in Odense. But the World Champion showed a consistent performance with few mistakes in the third game. 15-21/21-17/21-16 he won.
- I should have closed the match in two games. I was simply too tired in the third, Viktor Axelsen says.
- Viktor Axelsen is the most popular badminton star here in Denmark, and I’m very happy to beat him. I met him in the World Championships in Indonesia too this year. That was also a very tough match. Viktor and me are in the same level now, so it is all about motivation and condition, Chen Long says.
In the finals tomorrow Chen Long faces Indonesian Tommy Sugiarto, who won 21-8/22-20 against Chou Tien Chen.
In the women’s singles the spanish World Champion, Carolina Marín, was up against a tough opponent, when she lost to P.V. Sindhu from India. 21-15/18-21/21-17 was the result after a shocking come back in the third game. She was down with 15-11, but came back and won 21-17.
- Im very very happy. Recently I have lost to her three times, but I came back today, Sindhu says.
It will be her first final in a Super Series Premier tournament, when she faces Li Xuerui from China tomorrow, who won 21-8/20-22/21-10 against Sung Ji Hyun today.
- It is going to be a tough fight against Li tomorrow. I hope for the crowd. I love them all, and I’m very happy, that they support me here in this tournament in Denmark, Sindhi ends.