BWF Japan Open 2023: Viktor Axelsen and Jonatan Christie reach semi-finals in Tokyo
Axelsen is aiming to win his third BWF title this year in Tokyo, while Jonatan Christie hope to claim his second.
Badminton
Olympic badminton champion Viktor Axelsen and Indonesian star Jonatan Christie are through to the semi-finals at the BWF Japan Open 2023, after winning their respective quarter-finals on Friday (28 July), live on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com (territorial restrictions apply).
Axelsen - who recently retained his European title in Poland - defeated India’s HS Prannoy 19-21, 21-18, 21-8, and the Dane will next face fourth seed Naraoka Kodai of Japan, who beat Shi Yu Qi from the People's Republic of China 11-21, 21-19, 21-14.
Meanwhile, Indonesia Masters winner Jonatan Christie claimed a comfortable victory over Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-16, 21-16. Lakshya Sen of India awaits the world number nine in the other semi-final.
In the women’s singles, world number two An Se Young of the Republic of Korea knocked out Thailand's Intanon Ratchanok 21-19, 21-10 to set up an encounter with fourth seed Tai Tzu Ying of Chinese Taipei for a place in the final. The other women's singles semi-final will be between world number five He Bing Jiao of the People's Republic of China and Indonesia's Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, who defeated world number one Yamaguchi Akane in the quarter-final.
The BWF Japan Open is a Super 750 event on the 2023 BWF World Tour, with players earning ranking points which count towards Paris 2024 qualification. The event concludes on Sunday 28 July. Action is livestreamed and highlights are available on Olympic Channel via Olympics.com (territorial restrictions apply).