Axelsen’s classy final win shows he’s still the man to beat

Can’t blunt his axe: Viktor Axelsen celebrating after outclassing Kodai Naraoka in the men’s singles final.

DENMARK’s singles star Viktor Axelsen served a strong reminder to his rivals that he is set to be untouchable again this season after smashing his way to the Malaysian Open title.

The world No. 1 started 2023 just like he ended last year when he put up a classy and commanding show against a jaded Kodai Naraoka of Japan, cruising to a 21-6, 21-15 win in the final at the Axiata Arena yesterday.

“I’m proud to become the first European to defend this title,” said the reigning world and Olympic Games champion, who ended last season as the World Tour Finals winner.

“I could see that Kodai was a bit tired as he had played a very long match in the semi-finals.

“In fact, he had played for nearly double the time that I had played in this tournament as all his matches went to three games.

“This was good for me and I just went in there and played consistently with a high pace which didn’t give him many opportunities.

“I wanted to show him that to win, he had to work really hard,” added Axelsen.

The 29-year-old went on to praise the world No. 7, who had reached his first World Tour Super 1000 tournament.

“Anyway, congratulations to Kodai, who had a fantastic week.

‘‘He’s an up-and-coming player and we will see more from him.”

Meanwhile, there was some cheer for Japan as their women’s singles world No. 1 Akane Yamaguchi overcame South Korea’s world No. 4 An Se-young 12-21, 21-19, 21-12 for her maiden Malaysian Open title.

The reigning world champion became the first Japanese women’s singles shuttler to win the title since Hiroe Yuki in 1968.

Yesterday’s win was also her 10th win over Se-young in 15 meetings.

“It has been so long since a Japanese woman won a singles title here and I’m so happy to end the drought,” said Yamaguchi.

“Se-young played really well in the first game. Fortunately, I managed to control the second and third game better.’’

FINAL RESULTS

Men’s singles: Viktor Axelsen (Den) bt Kodai Naraoka (Jpn) 21-6, 21-15.Women’s singles: Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn) bt An Se-young (Kor) 12-21, 21-19, 21-11.

Men’s doubles: Fajar Alfian-Rian Ardianto (Ina) bt Liang Weikeng-Wang Chang (Chn) 21-18, 18-21, 21-13.

Women’s doubles: Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan (Chn) bt Baek Ha-na-Lee Yu-lim (Kor) 21-16. 21-10.

Mixed doubles: Zheng Siwei-Huang Yaqiong (Chn) bt Yuta Watanabe-Arisa Higashino (Jpn) 21-19, 21-11.