An Se Young Makes Triumphant Return at BWF Denmark Open; Axelsen Withdraws Due to Illness
Top seed An Se Young of South Korea marked a successful return to international badminton at the BWF Denmark Open, advancing to the women’s singles quarterfinals after a hard-fought victory over Thailand’s former World No. 1, Ratchanok Intanon, on Thursday.
After taking a break following her gold medal win at the Paris Olympics this summer, An faced a challenging match against Intanon. The Thai player claimed the first game 21-17, showcasing her experience and skill. Undeterred, An rallied to win the next two games 21-18, 21-14, displaying remarkable resilience and securing her spot in the last eight. She is set to face another Thai contender, Supanida Katethong, in the quarterfinals.
In men’s singles action, rising French star Alex Lanier advanced to the quarterfinals after world No. 1 and home favorite Viktor Axelsen was forced to retire due to illness during their last-16 match. The 19-year-old Lanier was leading 21-19 and had gained a 3-1 advantage in the second game when Axelsen, the two-time Olympic and World champion, became physically ill on court, prompting medical assistance.
Despite his determination to continue, Axelsen decided to retire while trailing 11-7 in the second game, acknowledging his inability to compete at his best. Lanier, capitalizing on this unexpected opportunity, will next face Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew in the upcoming quarterfinal.
The BWF Denmark Open continues to deliver thrilling matches and upsets, with both established champions and emerging talents showcasing the dynamic nature of international badminton.
Reference(s):
BWF Denmark Open: An beats Intanon in last 16, Axelsen withdraws
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