New Delhi: Two-time world champions Viktor Axelsen and Akane Yamaguchi stormed into the men’s and women’s singles semi-finals respectively at the India Open badminton tournament here on Friday. Reigning Olympic champion Axelsen advanced to the last four after his rival Rasmus Gemke pulled out of the first game with an injury. Gemke hurt his leg and was carried off the court in a wheelchair.
In women’s singles, world number one Yamaguchi fought hard to get past three-time world champion and Rio Olympic gold medalist Carolina Marin of Spain 21-17 14-21 21-19. Gemke’s winning campaign, who defeated defending champion Indian Lakshya Sen, was cut short by an injury. He fell on the court in an attempt to return. At that time his Danish teammate Axelsen was leading 16-8. Gemke was having trouble walking and was carried out in a wheelchair. Axelsen said after the match, “I am very disappointed. I didn’t want to win like this. He is my good friend and I wish him a speedy recovery.
In the semifinals, Axelsen will face fourth seed Jonathan Christie of Indonesia or fifth seed Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei. Olympic bronze medalist Anthony Sinisuka Ginting beat China’s Liu Shi Feng 21-11 17-21 21-18 in another quarterfinal encounter. Thailand’s Kunlavut Witidson defeated 2021 world champion Loh Keen Yew 21-12 21-17. They will face Ginting in the semi-finals. In women’s singles, Olympic champion Chen Yu Fei pulled out of the competition due to illness, giving Thailand’s Supanida Katethong a walkover. Supanida had defeated India’s PV Sindhu in the opening round. He will now face Yamaguchi. China’s He Bing Jiao defeated America’s Beiwen Zhang 21-13 21-19. In the semi-finals, she will face second seed An Se Young of South Korea, who defeated eighth seed Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand 21-14 21-14 in another quarterfinal encounter.
