Axelsen wins first Japan Open title

MALAYSIA’S Lee Chong Wei failed in his bid to win his seventh Japan Open Super Series title after losing to newly crowned world champion, Viktor Axelsen (top) in a closely fought final match at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, yesterday.

The Penangite lost 14-21 in the opening set before stepping up his gas to secure a 21-19 win in the second set but the towering Danish shuttler was in his element as he wrapped the match with a 21-14 victory.

It was Chong Wei’s back-to-back defeat to Axelsen, having lost to the Dane in the World Super Series Finals in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in December last year.

Chong Wei has won the Japan Open title six times – 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016.

Meanwhile, Misaki Matsutomo/ Ayaka Takahashi of Japan won the women’s doubles title after edging Kim Ha Na/Kong Hee Yong of South Korea; 21-18 and 21-16 while in the women’s singles, the fifth seeded Carolina Marin of Spain stunned the reigning champion, He Bingjiao of China, 23-21 and 2112.

The third seed, Marcus Fernaldi Gideon/Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo of Indonesia dislodged the host pair, Takuto Inoue/Yuki Kaneko, 21-12 and 21-15 to win the men’s doubles title.

Wang Yilyu/Huang Dongping of China won the mixed doubles title by defeating the host country pair of Takuro Hoki/Sayaka Hirota of Japan, 21-13 and 21-8. – Bernama