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Chan Kin-wa

World No 1 Viktor Axelsen crashed out of the Victor Hong Kong Open in a shock first round defeat, while there were mixed fortunes for the city’s top players on Wednesday.
Having won last week’s China Open, the top seeded Dane could not get past qualifier Lee Chai-Hao of Taiwan, and fell in straight games 21-16, 21-10 at Hong Kong Coliseum.
But the Olympic champion had no complaints about his surprising loss, admitting he just “lost to a better player today”.
“I played the final in the China Open over the weekend and perhaps it’s a little tough coming here and turning to a new place for preparing everything as I used a lot of energy,” Axelsen said. “But all credit to my opponent today as he was way better than me and deserved to win.”
Before Lee Chai-Hao had stunned the 4,000-strong crowd with his win, the home supporters were able to cheer on local favourite and defending champion Lee Cheuk-yiu in his relatively simple 21-13, 21-15 win over China’s Weng Yongyang.

“It’s so nice returning to the Coliseum where I enjoyed the great support of the fans,” Lee, who won in 2019, said. “I put the result from four years ago behind as it was too long ago and will focus on what I can do this time.”
It was an exciting night for the 4,000 fans who first witnessed the victory of Lee Cheuk-yiu, the defending champion, who beat Weng Yongyang of China 21-13, 21-15 before watching Angus Ng Ka-long who lost to 2018 Asian Games champion Jonatan Christine of Indonesia after three games 16-21, 21-17, 21-17.
Lee Cheuk-yiu will meet take on 2018 Asian Games champion Jonatan Christine, who needed three games to beat Angus Ng Ka-long, 16-21, 21-17, 21-17.
And while Ng continues his downward spiral, a young Jason Gunawan could be the next Hong Kong star. The 19-year-old beat Misha Zilberman of Israel in his maiden appearance at the Coliseum, having only ever previously been to the venue as a spectator.
“I only watched from the spectator stand before and the atmosphere was totally different as I started in the court,” Gunawan said. “I could feel the power of the fans when they chanted for me in the closing stages of the second. It was amazing.”
Gunawan is a member of the Asian Games squad and ranked fourth in the singles for the team event, but said he hoped his performance would give him a better chance of playing in Hangzhou.
He will take on Rasmus Gemke of Denmark in the next round.

In an all-Hong Kong mixed-doubles encounter, Tang Chun-man and Tse Ying-suet came from behind in an hour-long battle to beat Reginal Lee Chun-hei and Ng Tsz-yau 18-21, 21-13, 21-16.
In the women’s singles, former champion Nozomi Okuhara of Japan exited in the first round after a 21-7, 23-21 defeat by Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia.
Okuhara was at a loss to explain her defeat, only saying she was disappointed with the result.
In the men’s singles, second seed Anthony Ginting of Indonesia, the runner-up at the last Hong Kong Open in 2019, got off to a winning start after beating Brian Yang of Canada 21-9, 21-14.
“I am so happy to return to Hong Kong after these years as it’s always a popular tournament with good atmosphere from the fans,” said Ginting, who pulled out of the World Championships in August following the death of his mother.
“I will focus on my own performance, try to give my best in the remaining week and won’t talk about any medal hope at this moment.”


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Asian Games 2023

Badminton world No 1 Viktor Axelsen crashes out of Hong Kong Open in first round shock

Viktor Axelsen of Denmark reacts during his men’s singles first round match match against Taiwan’s Lee Chia-Hao at the Victor Hong Kong Open. Photo: BERTHA WANG

Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk-yiu in action against China’s Weng Yongyang at the Victor Hong Kong Open. Photo: Xiaomei Chen

Nozomi Okuhara was at a loss to explain her first round defeat. Photo: Chan Kin-wa

Hong Kong Open: city’s top badminton players in action as tournament returns for first time in 4 years

Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk-yiu is defending his men’s singles title this week. Photo: AFP

Yeung Nga-ting and Yeung Pui-lam lost their first round match against Thailand’s Benyapa Aimsaard and Nuntakarn Aimsaard. Photo: Badminton Asia

Badminton: Lee Cheuk-yiu hoping for repeat of Hong Kong Open glory as tournament finally returns

Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk Yiu hits a return against Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn during their men’s singles final at the 2023 Thailand Open badminton tournament in Bangkok on June 4, 2023. Photo: AFP

Lee Cheuk-yiu, at the 2023 Victor Hong Kong Open press conference at The Mira. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong men’s singles coach Wong Choong Hann (centre) with Angus Ng Ka-long and Lee Cheuk-yiu. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong is sending its strongest team to the Coliseum in September. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Hong Kong appoint Malaysia’s former badminton world No 1 Wong Choong Hann as new coach

Malaysian shuttler Wong Choong Hann plays a shot against China’s Li Yu during the second round of the China Open badminton tournament in Guangzhou, on November 10, 2004. Photo: AP

Angus Ng (right) has thanked Vincent Wong for helping the men’s team as caretaker coach. Photo: Handout

Angus Ng Ka-long of Hong Kong celebrates victory against Li Shi Feng of China in the men’s singles final match of the German Open in Muelheim. Photo: AFP

Ng Wing-yung, Chan Yin-chak and Lui Lok-lok (from left) after their triumphs at the Mongolia International Challenge. Photo: Handout 

Sport

Hong Kong

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Olympic champion beaten in straight games by Lee Chai-Hao of Taiwan 21-16, 21-10
Defending champion Lee Cheuk-yiu advances to second round, but Hong Kong teammate Angus Ng goes out


Olympic champion beaten in straight games by qualifier, while Hong Kong’s Lee Cheuk-yiu makes second round as he attempts to defend title.


Badminton World Federation (BWF)

Tse Ying-suet

Tang Chun-man

Badminton world No 1 Viktor Axelsen crashes out of Hong Kong Open in first round shock

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Olympic champion beaten in straight games by Lee Chai-Hao of Taiwan 21-16, 21-10 Defending champion Lee Cheuk-yiu advances to second round, but Hong Kong teammate Angus Ng goes out

Olympic champion beaten in straight games by Lee Chai-Hao of Taiwan 21-16, 21-10

Defending champion Lee Cheuk-yiu advances to second round, but Hong Kong teammate Angus Ng goes out