Indonesia Open: Axelsen Surprises Himself in Return from Injury
It was business as usual for Viktor Axelsen, despite the world No.1 having returned to training only last week due to a hamstring injury he’d sustained at the Sudirman Cup last month.
· DEV SUKUMAR
The Dane was in imperious touch as he handled HS Prannoy's wares on his way to his third final of this year. Axelsen made the final having not dropped a game all week.
“I was actually really surprised,” said Axelsen. “I never thought I’d be in a final after the lead-up to this tournament. I literally started practising five days before coming here, so I had no expectations. I only wanted to play without pain, and now to be in the final, winning every match in straight games, is amazing. I’m really relaxed going into the final tomorrow, I will just enjoy the experience.
“I lost to Prannoy at the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals and I wanted to see if I could do better today, and yeah, today I won in straight games. I was under pressure in the second game as I was in the first game but I stepped up in the end. His attack was really good. He’s a talented player, has been playing really well. It was a tough match, but I’m super proud of my performance.”