Dream final is on! Momota finds form to set up Axelsen showdown in Malaysia Open badminton championships

Japan's Kento Momota celebrates after defeating Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn in the semifinals of the Malaysian pen badminton championships at the Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Saturday (July 2, 2022) night. Momota won 21-11, 21-12. - AFP

KUALA LUMPUR, July 3, 2022 (AFP): Japan's Kento Momota expressed delight on Saturday night (July 2) at reaching his first final of the year after enduring "difficult times", following a convincing victory at the Malaysia Open over Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn.

The second seed will face world number one Viktor Axelsen in Sunday's final, after the Dane defeated Indonesia's Jonatan Christie 21-15, 20-22, 21-11.