Viktor Axelsen successfully defended his World Tour Finals (WTF) men’s singles title after the world number one put on a masterclass performance to beat Shi Yu Qi 21-11, 21-12 in a one-sided final on Sunday.
This dominant victory avenged Axelsen’s loss against Shi in the group stage, and also further affirms the lanky Dane’s reputation as the man to beat in the men’s singles arena.
This is Axelsen’s fifth victory at this tournament which was called World Superseries Finals previously.
Winning in Hangzhou, China this year also meant Axelsen equalled Lee Chong Wei’s record of three consecutive titles in this tournament, following up his victories in 2021 and last year.
Lee first achieved it during the Super Series Finals era from 2008-2010.
This final saw Axelsen first claiming the opening game after a sudden capitulation from Shi, who led 10-9 at one stage but only managed to get another point after that.
The Dane pulled away with ease after Shi made mistakes with his attacking shots, especially his cross-court smashes that were mostly drifting wide.
The second game script unfolded just like the first.
Shi and Axelsen were locked in a point for point battle in the first nine points of the second game, before the reigning Olympic champion pulled away again by having a response for everything Shi threw at him.
Axelsen duly wrapped up victory after 49-minutes for his sixth and final World Tour title of the year, having won seven in total after also claiming the European Games gold medal.
Despite Shi’s defeat, China still claimed two titles on home turf through women’s and mixed doubles.
Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan beat South Korean pair Baek Ha-na-Lee Soo-hee 21-16, 21-16 for the women’s doubles title, before Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong won the all Chinese mixed doubles final with a 21-11, 21-18 win over Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping.
Chinese Taipei ace Tai Tzu Ying meanwhile overcame Spaniard Carolina Marin 12-21, 21-14, 21-18 to secure the women’s singles title in the only match that did not feature a Chinese representative.
Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae stunned world number one Chinese pair Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang 21-17, 22-20 to win the men’s doubles title in the first of five finals on Sunday.
This dominant victory avenged Axelsen’s loss against Shi in the group stage, and also further affirms the lanky Dane’s reputation as the man to beat in the men’s singles arena.
This is Axelsen’s fifth victory at this tournament which was called World Superseries Finals previously.
Winning in Hangzhou, China this year also meant Axelsen equalled Lee Chong Wei’s record of three consecutive titles in this tournament, following up his victories in 2021 and last year.
Lee first achieved it during the Super Series Finals era from 2008-2010.
This final saw Axelsen first claiming the opening game after a sudden capitulation from Shi, who led 10-9 at one stage but only managed to get another point after that.
The Dane pulled away with ease after Shi made mistakes with his attacking shots, especially his cross-court smashes that were mostly drifting wide.
The second game script unfolded just like the first.
Shi and Axelsen were locked in a point for point battle in the first nine points of the second game, before the reigning Olympic champion pulled away again by having a response for everything Shi threw at him.
Axelsen duly wrapped up victory after 49-minutes for his sixth and final World Tour title of the year, having won seven in total after also claiming the European Games gold medal.
Despite Shi’s defeat, China still claimed two titles on home turf through women’s and mixed doubles.
Chen Qing Chen-Jia Yi Fan beat South Korean pair Baek Ha-na-Lee Soo-hee 21-16, 21-16 for the women’s doubles title, before Zheng Si Wei-Huang Ya Qiong won the all Chinese mixed doubles final with a 21-11, 21-18 win over Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping.
Chinese Taipei ace Tai Tzu Ying meanwhile overcame Spaniard Carolina Marin 12-21, 21-14, 21-18 to secure the women’s singles title in the only match that did not feature a Chinese representative.
Kang Min-hyuk-Seo Seung-jae stunned world number one Chinese pair Liang Wei Keng-Wang Chang 21-17, 22-20 to win the men’s doubles title in the first of five finals on Sunday.
