Tokyo: World champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark beat Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei on Sunday to clinch his first Japan Open title.
Axelsen, who defeated two-time Olympic champion Lin Dan of China to bag the world title in Glasgow last month, edged out Lee 21-14, 19-21, 21-14 in the men’s singles final.
Lee won the Japan Open six times including last year, narrowly took the second game but the Dane put in a brilliant performance to triumph in the third.
Spain’s Carolina Marin, last year’s Olympic gold medallist, overwhelmed He Bingjiao of China in the women’s singles final 23-21, 21-12.
Japan’s Rio Olympics gold medallists Ayaka Takahashi and Misaki Matsutomo beat South Korea’s Kim Ha-Na and Kong Hee-Yong 21-18, 21-16 in the women’s doubles final, to the delight of local fans.
