Singapore: Viktor Axelsen is set to take on Li Shifeng in the semifinals at the 2024 Singapore Open.
This follows a confident victory over Malaysian Leong Hun Jao, whom he defeated in two sets in the quarterfinals.
Highlights of Viktor Axelsen vs. Leong Jun Hao in the 2024 Singapore Open quarterfinals:
Axelsen who had never faced Leong before, did not seem bothered by the twist he sustained on Thursday, quickly taking control of the match to beat Leong 21-12, 21-11.
The Dane quickly took control in the first set. By the mid-game interval, Axelsen was leading 11-6, and he comfortably secured the set.
In the second set, Leong kept up well. It was 11-10 at the interval, but then Axelsen turned up the intensity, leaving the Malaysian with no chance thereafter.
Li Shifeng on the other hand, saw off home favorite Loh Kean Yew 21-19, 21-16 on Friday.
Chou Tien Chen will meet Shi Yuqi in another men’s singles semifinals.
In men’s doubles, last week’s Malaysia Masters champions Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen are well on their way to another great result in another BWF World Tour tournament when they showed a dominant victory over Malaysians Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik 21-10, 21-14.
The Danish duo got off to a flying start and led 9-2 and 14-4 on their way to winning the first set.
In the second set, the Danes took the lead early, going up 5-1, before Chia and Yik fought back a bit to make it 11-7 at the mid-game interval.
The Malaysians reduced the score to 10-11, but then Astrup/Rasmussen started to lead and never looked back.
Astrup/Rasmussen will play Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto in the semifinals.
Alfian/Ardianto overcame World No. 2 Liang Wei Keng/Wang Chang 21-17, 21-9 to make the final four.
He Ji Ting/Ren Xiang Yu will clash with Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi in other men’s doubles semifinals.