Source: Sipa USA/SOPA Images
[Saba Sports News] Viktor Axelsen, the Danish badminton player who
recently turned 30, is widely known as the dominant force in the men’s singles
category and has held the top spot in world rankings for a considerable period.
No one had managed to defeat him twice in a single month, but this record was
recently broken by Chinese player Shi Yuqi. In the semi-finals of the 2024
Malaysian Open, Shi Yuqi achieved the feat
by defeating the top-seeded Axelsen 2-1. This victory not only secured
his place in the finals but also made him the first player to defeat Axelsen
twice within a month. In the previous month, Shi Yuqi had already triumphed
over Axelsen with a 2-0 win during the group stage of the BFW World Tour
Finals. Axelsen attributed his loss to limited training in the week leading up
to the Malaysian Open, owing to holidays and injuries sustained after the
finals. He acknowledged being far from his best condition. In contrast, while
Axelsen was celebrating Christmas and New Year, Shi Yuqi diligently underwent
rigorous winter training and actively prepared for the Malaysian Open. His
victory was well-deserved. According to the editor’s analysis, there are three
key factors behind Shi Yuqi’s success: precise mobilization, swift offensive
tactics, and a composed mindset. This outcome reveals that Axelsen is not
invincible.