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China bag three golds at badminton’s Indonesia Masters, No 1 Viktor Axelsen wins men’s singles

  • Top-seeded Chinese duo of Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong win mixed doubles with crushing defeat of France’s Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue
  • In the women’s singles, China’s Chen Yufei overcomes Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon to win her first title since her gold medal at 2020 Olympics

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Zheng Siwei (left) and Huang Yaqiong of China celebrate during their final against Thom Gicquel and Delphine Delrue of France. Photo: Xinhua

Danish badminton ace Viktor Axelsen clinched the men’s singles title at the Indonesia Masters on Sunday, beating Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen in straight sets.

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The world No 1 beat Chou 21-10, 21-12 in a 41-minute match held at the Istora sporting arena in Jakarta.

“I love playing here in Istora and I always dreamt of winning a tournament at Istora. It’s a legendary venue, so to have done that is something that is really special to me,” 28-year-old Axelsen told reporters.

China’s Chen Yufei reacts after winning against Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon in the women’s singles final in Jakarta. Photo: AFP
China’s Chen Yufei reacts after winning against Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon in the women’s singles final in Jakarta. Photo: AFP

Axelsen’s victory came after he downed home favourite Anthony Sinisuka Ginting in the semi-finals.

In the women’s singles, China’s Chen Yufei overcame Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon to win her first title since her gold medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. She defeated Ratchanok, who won the Indonesia Masters women’s title in 2020, in a 74-minute three-set match 21-16, 18-21, 21-15.

“I am very pleased to get the gold medal today. I faced some difficulties during the game but I’m very pleased to overcome them and secure the win,” world number four Chen said.

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Chen secured a place in the final after defeating compatriot He Bingjiao 21-17, 21-14 in the semis.

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