Denmark Open: Axelsen doubtful for title defence despite recovering from leg injury

Despite training for the first time on Friday after nursing a leg injury, Viktor Axelsen is still unsure if he would be able to defend his Denmark Open title as the shuttler races against time to be fit for the Super 750 event.

“Right away, I am positive after today’s training in relation to my movement on the pitch. Now it will be absolutely decisive how the body reacts in the next few days.

“If everything goes as it should, I can hopefully get some match training during the weekend, but it won’t be until the beginning of next week that I know exactly where I stand.

“If the body is not at 100 percent, and I am unsure whether I can last the whole week, I must of course carefully consider whether I play the Denmark Open,” Axelsen told Danish broadcaster TV 2 Sport.

On Tuesday, Axelsen revealed he was carrying a leg injury and hoped to return to training by the end of the week.

The reigning world champion is not the only top name whose participation is in doubt for the tournament which starts in the city of Odense on Oct 28.

Second seeded Kento Momota recently confirmed his non-participation at the Denmark Open as well as the French Open (October 25-30).

Should Axelsen and Momota not play, Lee Zii Jia’s path to the final would be brighter.

The Malaysian plays Dutchman Mark Caljouw in the first round, and if all goes to plan, is scheduled for a semi-finals collision course against Axelsen.

Nonetheless, a tricky path awaits Lee as he first has to navigate two tough potential showdowns in the early rounds before even making it to the semis.

The world number three could play Malaysia Masters champion Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo in the second round, and eighth seed Jonatan Christie in the last eight.