BWF World Tour Finals: Viktor Axelsen creates History, while Tai Tzu Ying clinch her second title

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BWF World Tour Finals
HANGZHOU, CHINA - DECEMBER 17:Viktor Axelsen of Denmark celebrates victory in the Men's Singles final match against Shi Yuqi of China during BWF World Tour Finals 2023 at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium on December 17, 2023 in Hangzhou, China. (Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images)

The sixth edition of the BWF World Tour Finals concluded on Sunday at Hangzhou, China. The tournament has produced some serious upsets initially, but the former champions have reigned to glory in the ultimate clash. Viktor Axelsen and Chinese Taipei’s Tai Tzu Ying became the champions in Men’s and Women’s Singles respectively.

Viktor Axelsen after winning 2023 BWF World Tour Finals
Viktor Axelsen after winning 2023 BWF World Tour Finals Pic Credits: Viktor Axelsen

BWF World Tour Finals: Axelsen’s inspiring comeback

Danish Superstar Viktor Axelsen became the first player/pair to win the BWF WTF for a record third time(also consecutively) after a dominating performance against the former champion Shi Yuqi in two straight rounds(21-11, 21-12). After facing a stunning defeat in the very first round, Axelsen recovered well and produced an inspiring performances heading in to the knockouts, and completely dominated against the opposition in semi-final and final. He also became the first player to win 5 BWF Superseries and/or World Tour Finals.

“I’m extremely proud and extremely tired,” said Axelsen.

“My year has been extraordinary. It has also been marked by big disappointments,” he said, pointing to defeats in the All England Open and the World Championships on home soil.

“But a great sportsman gets up and recovers from disappointing experiences. And that’s what I managed to do. I’ve won some big titles, so I can’t be disappointed with this year,” he said, while speaking to BWF media.

Tai Tzu Ying defeated Carolina Marin

Tai Tzu Ying defeated the former World Champion Carolina Marin of Spain. After being a game down, Tzu Ying came back strongly in the next two rounds(12-21, 21-14, 21-18) ultimately winning her second season-ending title. On an interesting note, she won her previous title against the same opponent back in 2020.

Tai Tzu Ying after winning 2023 BWF World Tour Finals
Tai Tzu Ying after winning 2023 BWF World Tour Finals. Pic Credits: Getty images

“I thought I was going to lose in the second game, but the crowd cheered me on even though I was trailing, and that gave me the energy to persevere and gave me a lot of self-belief and confidence,” Tai told BWF Media.

“Marin is a very fast player and I was under a lot of pressure. Frankly, I couldn’t keep up with her pace, which affected my shot-making, so I felt I needed to play at a higher pace to be able to challenge her.”

Other results:

In Men’s Doubles, the World Champion pair of Kang Min Hyuk and Seo Seung Jae of South Korea have defeated the Chinese World No.1 Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang in straight rounds(21-17, 22-20).

The defending champions Chen Qing Chen and Jia Yi Fan of China have successfully regained their throne in Women’s doubles by beating South Korea’s Baek Ha Na and Lee So Hee(21-16, 21-16). The mixed doubles also seen the reigning champions Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong of China defending their titles against their compatriots Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong in two straight rounds(21-11, 21-18).

Overall, China has been the most successful team at the competition after securing all the paired categories and a second spot in Men’s Singles.

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