Axelsen still looking for formula to defeat Momota

KUALA LUMPUR: World number one, Viktor Axelsen of Denmark admitted it was not easy to beat rising badminton star Kento Momota of Japan.

According to the ‘head to head’ analysis issued by Badminton World Federation, Axelsen had lost to Momota seven times and only won twice in 2010 and 2014.

“I lost a lot to Kento, I’m still finding the way to play with him, I’m working hard on it... hopefully we have a chance to play in the future,” he told reporters at the unveiling ceremony of the HSBC BWF World Tour finals trophy here yesterday.

Axelsen who is first seeded in the Malaysia Open 2018 would face Khosip Phetpradab of Thailand in the first round today and is expected to play his team mate Anders Antonsen or another Thai player, Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk. He could play Datuk Lee Chong Wei in the quarterfinals.

“Chong Wei always played really well in the Malaysia Open and had won many times. I’m not really focused on who would play in the quarterfinals or semifinals, I’m just focusing on the first match tomorrow.

“If I could play against Chong Wei, I will play my best and it would be a tough match,” he added.

Meanwhile, Momota will start his first round against Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia and expected to face second seeded Son Wan Ho of South Korea in the next match.

Momota ranked world number 10 is expecting to meet sixth seeded Chou Tien Chen of Taiwan in the quarterfinals and could face fourth seeded K.Srikanth of India in the semifinal.