What a difference three days makes.

On Sunday, Lei Lan Xi got trounced in the LI-NING Hong Kong Open 2024 men’s singles final by Viktor Axelsen 21-9 21-12. [Read More]

Typhoon Bebinca then ripped through the region causing chaos to flights, forcing Lei and Axelsen to both arrive late to Changzhou. The Olympic champ, in fact, only got in around 8pm last night.

Today then was naturally a much different proposition in their first-round clash at the VICTOR China Open 2024.

An extreme drift from front to back and limited preparation and court acclimatisation for each meant this was a much more intriguing contest.

Lei, whom himself acknowledged he “played much faster today” than compared to Sunday’s final, took the first game 21-19.

In typical Axelsen fashion, the big Dane dug deep despite his unusual sluggishness to take it to a third.

Both players raised the intensity in decider to put on a great show for the Changzhou faithful with Lei triumphing 21-16 to the rapturous applause of fans. Watch the highlights here.

“I think he played a fantastic match. He probably should have won in two games,” Axelsen said post-match.

“We had a few challenges getting here. It would have been great for an evening match for both of us. It was interesting that we had an afternoon match. But no excuses, Lei was the better player and he deserves all the credit.”

On the secret to his form reversal against Axelsen, Lei said: “Maybe it’s more on a psychological level. I dared to go and fight today without any pressure and break through.

“Because I lost to him last week, I made some adjustments and just went for every point. Fight, fight and saving every shot.”

OTHER RESULTS

Dane Julie Dawall Jakobsen fought off late nerves to record the biggest win of her career with a stunning upset of still-injured Tai Tzu Ying 21-19 7-21 21-14.

“I’m a bit overwhelmed. I’m really happy. I’ve played some matches against the best players before but could never really close it out. So, I’m really relieved I could do it today,” she said.

“Even though she isn’t feeling so good physically at the moment she still has many shots to play, so I knew it would be difficult but I’m just happy I stayed in the third game. I was really nervous at the end and I knew I had to place my shots well otherwise she’s just too good.

“It’s a proud moment and this is one of the best victories I’ve had in a long time.”

In another head-turner, Malvika Bansod of India defeated Paris 2024 bronze medallist Gregoria Mariska Tunjung 26-24 21-19 for her biggest victory at a Super 1000 tournament.

→ Results (Day 2)

→ Order of Play (Round of 16)

WHAT OTHERS SAID

“I’ve been practising together with Ng Ka Long [Angus] these previous two week. We’ve had some good battles in training and most of the time he came out on top. So, I’m happy I could turn that around today. I know he is a tricky opponent, and without disrespecting him, I think he will agree with me that he didn’t have his best day today.” – Anders Antonsen