The noise was loud when the afternoon session on the semifinals day of the French Open 2019. Two of the biggest men’s singles stars were the first to enter the Stade Pierre de Coubertin: Viktor Axelsen, the world number seven, faced Jonatan Christie, ranked six in the world.

Axelsen was off to the perfect start taking the initiative and the lead 11-1. The first game was one-way street and the French Open runner-up from 2012 won the first game 21-7.

Cramps
Christie, who in 2019 has won Australian and New Zealand Open, got a better start in the second game, where he took the lead 11-10 at the interval and after a thrilling finish the Indonesian won the second game 22-20.

Axelsen, who also reached the semifinals at Denmark Open last week, has been doing well on court in Paris, and on Saturday he again showed that he is for sure back on the top level after his injuries.

Viktor Axelsen was leading 19-10 but then the cramps began. Not being able to move and jump Jonatan Christie scored 11 points in a row and secured his spot in the French Open final winning the decider 21-19.

- In the second game it started to cramp in my left hip, and in the third it was my groin. He played well in that period, but I am just disappointed that I did not get the last two points, Viktor Axelsen said after the match.

Long vs. Christie
In the final Jonatan Christie will face Chinese super star, Chen Long.

- I will do my best because in the head-to-head Chen Long lead 7-0 but I will do my absolute best, the Indonesian said.