Viktor Axelsen (22) failed to win his first Superseries tournament after losing to Kento Momota in the India Open finals yesterday - his fifth final appearance in a Superseries event.
The world number 6 and number 5 seed from Denmark lost 15-21, 18-21 (45 minutes) to second seeded Japanese shuttler Kento Momota. The latter extended his head-to-head record against Axelsen to 6-1.
Last year, Axelsen also finished runner-up in the India Open.
„Yet again I had to face a defeat in a Superseries final“, Axelsen said.
„Disappointing for sure, but I simply made too many easy mistakes and lost to a better player yesterday.“
„I could not play mybest game. I was a bit a tensed in most parts of the game - and Momota was not doing many mistakes“, the bronze medal winner of the World Championships in 2014 said to Danish TV channel TV2.
„It’s quite disappointing that I could not win but I take good things out of this tournament. It was a good experience. I made it to the finals and therefore I am proud.“
In the women's singles final, former world champion Ratchanok Intanon of Thailand got the better of Olympic champion Li Xuerui from China21-17, 21-18 in 43 minutes.
In the men's doubles final,Indonesia's Markus Fernaldi Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo prevailed over compatriots Angga Pratama and Ricky Karanda Suwardi 21-17, 21-13 in 30 minutes.
The women's doubles title went to Japan's Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi, who battled past compatriots Naoko Fukuman and Kurumi Yonao 21-18, 21-18 in 57 minutes.
China's Lu Kai and Huang Yaqiong won the mixed doubles title beating Indonesian pair of Riky Widianto and Puspita Richi Dili 21-13, 21-16.
Article by Manuel Rösler. Photos by BadmintonPhoto (LIVE).