Huelva: World No. 1 men’s singles player Viktor Axelsen of Denmark continued his dominance at the European Championship when the top seeded player eased past Rajiv Ouseph of England 21-8, 21-7 in the final.
Axelsen who took a three-month break after his ankle surgery, didn’t show any difficulties to make a return to form after a long lay-off. He has been completely remarkable at the European Championship, where he has not lost a single set. From his first round through his final match, he only lost an average of 10 points per set.
“I am really excited for the win. I was like a lion confined inside the cage at home for three months. It was really great to come back and it’s great to win again,” said Axelsen.
The 2018 European championships was Axelsen’s second European title. He also won the tournament in 2016 by defeating compatriot Jan O Jorgensen. Last year, Axelsen also secured the biggest triumph in his career when he beat Chinese badminton legend Lin Dan in the final of World Championships.
In the women’s singles competition, it was a meaningful day for Carolina Marin of Spain as she defeated Russian Yevgeny Kosetskaya 21-15, 21-7 in the city where she was born. This was also Marin’s fourth European title.
In the women’s doubles, the Bulgarian sisters Gabriela and Stefani Stoeva won the European title with a 21-12,21-10 win over French Emilie Lefel and Anne Tran.
Britain’s Chris and Gabby Adcock became the first English duo to successfully defend a European crown for 32 years, outlasting Denmark’s Mathias Christiansen and Christinna Pedersen 21-18, 17-21, 21-18.
In the all-Dane men’s doubles final, No. 3 seeds men’s pair Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen were handed an easy victory when No. 2 seeds Mads Conrad-Petersen/Mads Pieler Kolding retired after losing the first set 15-21 to Astrup/Rasmussen.
