Bangkok: Three-time champion (2016, 2017, 2021) Viktor Axelsen eased into the final four of the 2022 BWF World Tour Finals with a 21-5, 21-15 win over Kodai Naraoka on Thursday.
It took the top-seeded Axelsen just 33 minutes to see off Naraoka and make it two wins out of two in men’s singles Group AÂ to qualify for the semi-finals at the year-end tournament.
Highlights of Viktor Axelsen vs. Kodai Naraoka at 2022 BWF World Tour Finals:
Naraoka and Lu Guang Zu would battle for another spot in the knockout stage after both have registered 1 win and 1 loss in Group A.
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting also qualified for the semi-finals when he won his second Group B match after beating Chou Tien Chen 21-14, 12-21, 21-19 on Thursday, while Loh Kean Yew and Jonatan Christie would fight for another spot from Group B. If both Loh and Christie win their respective matches on Friday, it would depend on their point difference to determine who could make the next round.
In men’s doubles, the reigning World Champions Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik missed out on their ticket to the semi-finals following their second defeat in Group B.
Chia/Soh conceded to the Chinese pair, Liu Yu Chen/Ou Xuan Yi 21-23, 24-22, 16-21 in a thrilling action that took place at the Nimibutr Arena in Bangkok. The Malaysian duo was also denied by Mohamad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan in their opening match on Wednesday.
Ahsan/Setiawan and Liu/Ou have each confirmed their tickets to the semi-finals through two wins so far. Another Indonesian pair – Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto from Group A has also qualified for the semi-finals. Malaysia’s Ong Yew Sin/Teo Ee Yi would have to beat Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto if they want to make the next round. Takuro Hoki/Yugo Kobayashi will meet Choi Sol Gyu/Kim Won Ho in their last Group A match.
