Match: Chen Long v Viktor Axelsen
Date: 19 November, Saturday
Time: 1:40pm SGT/11:10am IST/5:40am GMT
Venue: Haixia Olympic Sport Center, Fuzhou
Competition: China Open Superseries, semi-final
TV Coverage: In SIngapore there is no TV coverage of the match.
Live Streaming: BWF official YouTube channel, Hotstar.
Overview
Chen Long takes on Viktor Axelsen in the Men's singles semi-final of the 2016 China Open in Fuzhou on Saturday.
The second seed made light work of unseeded shuttler Ajay Jayaram to storm into the last-four stage of the ongoing tournament. The Rio Olympic gold medallist just needed 40 minutes to dispose off his Indian opponent 21-15, 21-14.
The world number two has been largely untroubled in the tournament, which is also his first since is remarkable campaign at Rio de Janeiro in August. While his compatriot Lin Dan has not been able to get back to court after the Games, Chen has been dominant over the three rounds.
He benefitted from the retirement of his first round opponent Tommy Sugarito in the first game, which the Chinese shuttler was leading 17-5. In the second round, Chen was able to outclass his compatriot Shi Yuqi, who won the Bitburger as well as the French Open last month, in straight games.
Also read: Weibo user exposes Lin Dan with intimate photos of affair with model Zhao Yaqi
On the other hand, Viktor Axelsen, the third seed in the tournament, has finally lived up to his potential after poor outings at home in the Denmark Open and the French Open.
The Rio Olympic bronze medallist defeated Japan's Takuma Ueda 21-11, 21-6 and will face one of the biggest tests against the Chinese superstar.
Axelsen should take confidence from the Rio bronze medal match in which he stunned the Super Dan to finish third in the tournament.
The Danish shuttler will also look to avenge his semi-final defeat to Chen at the quadrennial showpiece in Saturday's clash.
TV Schedule
India: Star Sports 4
