Badminton: Viktor, Tai reign supreme in Dubai BWF World Superseries Finals

Dubai - Axelsen's victory also broke Denmark's duck in the singles segment across both the men's and women's section, which has been dominated by China and Malaysia in Dubai

It was second time lucky for Denmark's Viktor Axelsen with the 22-year-old finally laying hands on the winner's trophy of the Dubai BWF World Superseries Finals at the Hamdan Sports Complex.
Axelsen, the Rio Olympics bronze medallist, had come up short against Japan's Kento Momota in the final here last year, but the reigning European champion gave it his all this time around to clinch the season-ending title, at the second time of asking.
But it didn't come easy as the 2010 World Junior Champion had to overcome a blip midway through the match before seeing the back of China's Tian Houwei 21-14, 6-21, 21-17 in the men's singles final that stretched to over an hour.
Axelsen's victory also broke Denmark's duck in the singles segment across both the men's and women's section, which has been dominated by China and Malaysia in Dubai.
It was also Axelsen's second victory over Houwei, whom he had earlier defeated in the Swiss Open in 2014. That too had gone the distance and was a three-setter.
Meanwhile, the women's singles final was a repeat of the 2014 title clash and the outcome was the same with Chinese Taipei's Tai Tzu Ying besting Sung Ji Hyun of Korea 21-14, 21-13 in just 37 minutes. It was a second Dubai title for Ying after winning it in 2014.
Elsewhere, it was a brilliant double for China's Chen Qingchen as she won the women's doubles with Jia Yifan by stunning Olympic gold medallists Misaki Matsutomo and Ayaka Takahashi of Japan before partnering Zheng Siwei to beat the Adcock pair - Chris and Gabrielle - in the mixed doubles.
And in the final game of the night as well as the season, Malaysia's V Shem Goh and Wee Kiong Tai shocked top seeds Takeshi Kamura and Keigo Sonoda in the mens doubles.
Meanwhile, it was pretty even at the start of the first game between Axelsen and Houwei with both locked at 6-6 before the Dane ran away to a 12-9 lead against the southpaw.
Axelsen toyed with Houwei and had six rear court winners to the latter's two as the Dane ran up a 18-13 lead and then was on the brink of game point at 20-13. And though Houwei managed to nick a point, Axelsen played a neat cross court angled drop to wrap the first game in 21 minutes.
But the shoe was on the other foot, so to speak, in the second game as Houwei went all guns blazing to take the game 21-6 in just 18 minutes. Axelsen was nowhere near the same form he had shown in the first game and had a flurry of errors and was left scurrying all around the court.
The decider was a thrilling one with Tian holding the edge at various points of the game and constantly had a two-point cushion over Axelsen. But then, the Dane slowly inched his way back and the score was 11-10 in Houwei's favour until Houwei challenged a call that was out. The official television review showed his challenge was unsuccessful and Axelsen was now level at 11-11. It was a bit of nerves from then on for both as Axelsen netted a simple smash while Houwei netted a return of serve after which Axelsen conjured an superb down the line winner to take the lead for the first time.
The game or perhaps the tournament witnessed one of the longest and most thrilling rallies with it going up to 52 shots before Houwei netted his drop. Axelsen drew confidence from that and went on to close out the game and with it the match.
james@khaleejtimes.com