Match: Viktor Axelsen v Tian Houwei
Date: 18 December, Sunday
Time: 5:30pm SGT/3pm IST/9:30am GMT
Competition: BWF World Superseries Finals 2016
Venue: Hamdan Sports Complex, Dubai
TV Coverage: There is no TV coverage in Singapore.
Live streaming: Hotstar, BWF's official YouTube channel.
Overview
Viktor Axelsen has reached his second successive Superseries finals title match followng his win over Son Wan Ho 21-17, 21-19 in the semi-final on Saturday.
The Danish shuttler was comfortable after having the lead in both the games despite Son getting level on multiple occasions. The biggest test for Axelsen was his fitness as he had played a marathon group match against Lee Chong Wei, which he won after having been a game down 14-21, 21-14, 21-19 on Friday.
However, the world number four looked assured and fended off a challenge from the second-seeded South Korean shuttler. Axelsen, who lost last year's final to Japan's Kento Momota has had a phenomenal year in 2016 after winning a bronze at the Rio Games and also finished runner-up at China Open. He seems to be aware of what it takes to do the job on the big night against in-form Tian Houwei.
"I went in a little bit tired after the long match yesterday [Firday]. To be in the final again - I am happy. I have what it takes to win. It's a matter of recovering from today's match," Axelsen said on Saturday, as quoted by BWF's official website.
"A lot has happened since last year's final. I have learned a lot. I don't need to do anything different... It is the same court and same conditions, only a different opponent. Tian had a good win today. It will be another tough game tomorrow."
On the other hand, Houwei outclassed top seed Jan O Jorgensen in a marathon three-game battle that extended for 65 minutes on Saturday. Despite slipping in the second game, the Chinese shuttler took the match 21-17, 19-21, 21-13 to book his place in the final.
While Axelsen will be looking to not let go off his second opportunity to cinch glory in Dubai, Houwei, who has not had much success after his 2016 All England runner-up finish will want to end the year on a high.
TV Schedule
India: Star Sports HD 2
