Malaysia Open: Mount Axelsen Proves Unconquerable
The fairytale return to Malaysia for Kento Momota, complete with the title conquest, was not to be. Momota, whose last visit here saw him win the Malaysia Masters over Viktor Axelsen before a car accident changed…
· DEV SUKUMAR
The fairytale return to Malaysia for Kento Momota, complete with the title conquest, was not to be. Momota, whose last visit here saw him win the Malaysia Masters over Viktor Axelsen before a car accident changed everything for him, succumbed to the big-hitting Dane in just 38 minutes.
And with the 21-4 21-7 result today in the PETRONAS Malaysia Open 2022 final, Axelsen added to his own growing legend. This was his 31st match win on the trot, his fifth title of the season, and his 15th HSBC BWF World Tour title to add to his four Superseries crowns.
Momota was the emotional favourite of the crowd going into the match, and the support lasted even late into the match when it was evident that he wouldn’t escape Axelsen’s vice-like grip. From the start Axelsen had a ruthless efficiency about him; and with his defence well organised and his monstrous smashes unfailingly finding the lines, his opponent needed something dramatic to turn things around.