Viktor Axelsen grabs the Malaysia Masters defeating Kenta Nishimoto

Numero Uno Viktor Axelsen defeated Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto in the pinnacle match of Malaysia Masters with 21-13, 21-23, 21-18 to clinch the title on Sunday. Number one seeded Dane was put into an overexert scenes in the gruelling battle of the 72-minute match and eventually won his first title of the year.

On the other hand, Nishimoto, who ousted World No. 2 Lee Chong Wei in the first round of the tournament, battled equally with the Dane.

Grabbing the early point of the match 1-0 by the Japanese, Nishimoto scored six straight points at 2-5 trail to make 8-5 to his advantage followed by two points lead by the break from Viktor to make 11-9. Nishimoto managed to level the score with 11-11, before Viktor saved the high of seven straight points with his defensive returns to increase the gap and eventually sealed the first game.

Second game had turned the tables for Nishimoto who saved his country’s pride and led the game in the beginning; leading with two points by the halftime of the game with 11-9, the Japanese faced some close encounters against Viktor  from 13-13 to 21-21 followed by his contented win and pushed the match to the decider.

The final game was completely under the domination of the Dane who maintained at least two points gap with the opponent. Nishimoto, somehow caught the World Champion at 15-15, followed by exchange of couple of points till 17-17. Top seeded Viktor, ripped off his shirt and threw into the crowd after defeating the Japanese with 21-18.

He said, “The conditions here were really tricky, in the past I have had a few upsets in windy conditions. It's a big win for me.”

While, in the women’s singles clash, World No. 5 Ratchanok Intanon created major upset after she defeated World No. 1 Tai Tzu Ying with 21-16, 14-21, 24-22 in the 65-minute battle.

Results:

Men's Singles: Viktor Axelsen beat Kenta Nishimoto with 21-13, 21-23, 21-18

Women's Singles: Ratchanok Intanon beat Tai Tzu Ying with 21-16, 14-21, 24-22

Men's Doubles: Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto beat Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong with 14-21, 24-22, 21-13

Women's Doubles: Kamilla Rytter Juhl-Christinna Pedersen beat Chen Qingchen-Jia Yifan with 22-20, 21-18