Japan's world No. 1 Yamaguchi falls as Axelsen storms into Indonesia Open

Spain's Carolina Marin plays against Taiwan's Tai Tzu Ying during their women's singles quarter final match at Indonesia Open badminton tournament at Istora Senayan Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia, Friday, June 16, 2023. - AP

JAKARTA, June 16, 2023 (AFP): Badminton world number one Viktor Axelsen swiftly routed Taiwan's Chou Tien-chen on Friday night, storming into the Indonesia Open semi-finals, but women's world number one Akane Yamaguchi of Japan crashed out.

Danish ace Axelsen is the defending Indonesia Open champion, and he played with an aura of invincibility in Jakarta, racing to a quarter-final victory over the world number eight 21-5, 21-19 in 39 minutes.