Axelsen sails through despite distraction

VIKTOR Axelsen overcame not only the roaring home fans, but also a short match interruption, to stay on course for a backto- back title bid at the World Championships.

The 24- year- old Dane brushed aside homester Huang Yuxiang 21-17, 21-8 to cruise into the last 16 at the Youth Olympic Sports Park Arena yesterday.

Axelsen and Yuxiang locked horns until 16-16 in the opening game before the match was halted after water dripped from the roof on Axelsen’s side.

The organisers could not solve the issue and after 10 minutes, the match was moved to the other court.

The breather was all Axelsen needed as he turned the game around as soon as the match resumed with him winning five of the next six points to clinch the first game.

He continued to be in his element in the second, building on a commanding 10-3 lead before cruising to his stylish win to set up a meeting against Angus Ng Ka Long of Hong Kong in today’s third round.

“After moving to the other court, I felt the condition of the court was different. I stayed focus and went on to win,” said Axelsen, who became the first European in 20 years to win the men’s singles crown in Glasgow last year.

Yuxiang is not be the only Chinese opponent in Axelsen’s path en route to the final.

He may meet two-time world champion Chen Long in the last eight and either world No. 3 Shi Yuqi or five-time world champion Lin Dan in the semi-finals.

Chen Long is also through to the third round after fending off strong challenge from Thailand’s Phetpradab Khosit to win 21-16, 21-11 while All England champion Yuqi beat Rajiv Ouseph of England 21-18, 21-9 yesterday.