-Olympics
Indonesia’s badminton ace Jonatan Christie crashed out in the first round of the BWF Denmark Open 2023.
World No.13 Chou Tien Chen of Chinese Taipei defeated the Indonesian 21-17, 21-12 on Wednesday (18 October).
Although Christie started strongly, leading 15-10 in the first game, Chou gradually gained momentum, scoring six consecutive points to take the lead. The 2018 Denmark Open runner-up eventually secured the game.
In the second game, Christie continued to struggle with his rhythm, while Chou played strategically, ultimately winning the match convincingly after 40 minutes of play.
Christie, who clinched the Indonesia Masters and Hong Kong Open earlier this year, had hoped to secure his third title of the season, but Chou proved to be too strong for the 2018 Asian Games winner.
The two shuttlers last faced each other at the Asian Games 2023 in the round of 16, where Chou also took the victory in straight games.
In round two, Chou will face Japan’s Nishimoto Kenta. The world No. 14 beat Zhao Jun Peng of the People’s Republic of China with a score of 20-22, 21-11, 21-17.
Meanwhile, reigning Olympic gold medallist Viktor Axelsen – competing in front of the home Danish crowd – had little trouble with compatriot Magnus Johannesen, winning 21-7, 21-9 in just 39 minutes.
Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia came from behind to beat Julien Carraggi of Belgium, 19-21, 21-15, 21-10.
Elsewhere, women’s singles Tokyo 2020 champion Chen Yufei of the People’s Republic of China ousted Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani (21-9, 21-9) to advance to round two.
Next, the Olympic champion will face her compatriot Wang Zhi Yi, who beat Japan’s Kawakami Saena with a score of 21-15, 21-13.
Featured Image: Sportstar-The Hindu