He came, he saw, and he prevailed – at last!
Not that it has lagged with victories in that way for Viktor Axelsen, but on Sunday it was the Danish star’s evil spirit Kento Momota who stood on the other side of the net at the Denmark Open.
The final was decided, and it was a high level for all the money the audience got when the Danish badminton player won 20-22, 21-18, 21-12.
Thus, he was able to clench his fists after a match where Momota – who Axelsen has always had a very hard time against – then also gave fight to the line.
In the first set, the Dane otherwise lay comfortably in the lead, but then the Japanese bit away to that extent.
For Viktor Axelsen led 14-17, but then Momota delivered a strong comeback and grabbed the first set.
In the second set, the two stars were followed along the way, until Viktor Axelsen finally got pulled over and made sure that the match went out in a decisive third set.
And here the Dane, who before tonight’s match had lost 14 out of 15 matches to Momota, did not look back.
He quickly took the lead and delivered at a high level in front of the Danish audience, who certainly got something for their money in the badminton hall with two players who were world class.
It is the first time in his career that Viktor Axelsen wins the Denmark Open, and the Danish star was also very happy when it was clear he had won the last ball.
He cheered loudly and then went out to the stands where his fiancée Natalia Koch Rohde sat with the couple’s daughter Vega.
Viktor Axelsen has now won two out of a total of 16 meetings with the Japanese world star.
