Kuala Lumpur: World number one Viktor Axelsen of Denmark defeated Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto 21-13, 21-23, 21-18 in a gruelling match to win the Malaysia Masters final on Sunday.
Top-seeded Axelsen was pushed to the limits in the see-saw battle in the capital Kuala Lumpur, eventually seizing his maiden 2018 title after 72 minutes of play.
The Dane faced a gutsy Nishimoto, who had scalped higher ranked opponents in his gallant run, including world number two Lee Chong Wei in the first round.
Axelsen took the lead with a comfortable 21-13 first game win with his cross court smashes, but Nishimoto rallied back to level the tie 23-21.
The Japanese kept a stellar defence against the attack minded Axelsen in the decider, but the lanky Dane’s deadly net play proved the difference for 21-18 victory.
Axelsen, who won the world title in 2017, is hoping that he will be able to repeat that form this year. “The conditions here were really tricky, in the past I have had a few upsets in windy conditions. It’s a big win for me,” said Axelsen, who ripped off his shirt and threw it into the crowd in celebration.
In the women’s singles, Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon edged Taiwanese top seed Tai Tzu Ying 21-16, 14-21, 24-22.
The Results
n Men’s singles final (x denotes seeding): Viktor Axelsen (DEN, 1) bt Kenta Nishimoto (JPN) 21-13, 21-23, 21-18.
n Women’s singles final: Ratchanok Intanon (THA, 5) bt Tai Tzu Ying (TPE, 1) 21-16, 14-21, 24-22.
n Men’s doubles final: Fajar Alfian/ Muhammad Rian Ardianto (INA) bt Goh V. Shem/ Tan Wee Kiong (MAS) 14-21, 24-22, 21-13.
n Women’s doubles final: Kamilla Rytter Juhl/ Christinna Pedersen (DEN, 3) bt Chen Qingchen/ Jia Yifan (CHN, 1) 22-20, 21-18.
n Mixed doubles final: Tang Chun Man/ Tse Ying Suet (HKG, 2) bt Zheng Siwei/ Huang Yaqiong (CHN, 5) 19-21, 22-20, 21-18.
