MS - Semifinals : Is Christie a Taufik Hidayat number 2 ?

Defending champion Chen Long is into another French Open final while Viktor Axelsen missed a huge opportunity to join him. The Dane has lost against the young indonesian prodigy Jonatan Christie.

Magnificent CHEN Long

The title holder has shown once again his power ! The world ranked n°4, CHEN Long will be there on Sunday willing to win another French Open title. He went through the semifinals after prevailing over the Indonesian Antony GINTING, 21-19, 21-18. The one who defeated Kento Momota yesterday. Tough task that asked him a lot physically we suppose! Maybe he wasn’t fully recovered from such a huge match? As a huge champion that he is, he gave credits to his opponent for playing a great match saying all players are tired from their match and it was not an excuse today. « I missed an opportunity in the 2nd game, with a 4-5 lead but my opponent was stronger » We’ll see CHEN Long defending his title tomorrow.

Dramas in stade Pierre de Coubertin

The French crowd witnessed a match full of dramas in another Super 750 semifinal. A magnificent match between the Dane Dane Viktor Axelsen and the young indonesian prodigy Jonatan Cristie.

During the first game, Viktor didn’t let his opponent breathe as he was winning points after points with a perfect technique. Jonatan was making too many mistakes and it costs him the first game 21-7.

The following one was even more tense and the Indonesian managed to come back and brought Viktor to a deciding game for the pleasure of the audience!

From here, the match took an excepted turn. The Dane started to suffered from cramps and it increasing until the very end. Despite leading 19-10, Viktor had to concede defeat as he could barely walk. He didn’t score any points afterwards and lost another semifinal match. What a huge disappointment for the Dane who was so close to reach his first French Open final. « In the start of the 3rd game, my left hip start to cramp a little bit and then my leg as well. I had 19 points and i didn’t managed to get the last two so I’m obviously very disappointed. »

On the other side, Jonatan CHRISTIE was obviously very happy to be on the winning side. He will face the defending champion, CHEN Long, tomorrow.